Li Heping of Beijing, one of the best known of the detained human rights lawyers, was arrested at his office on July 10, the BBC reports. His wife Wang Qiaoling told the news service that her husband was then escorted home by more than 10 plainclothes officers, who searched their apartment. Li handed his wife his keys. It was the last time for months that his whereabouts were known to his family. Li’s legal assistant, Zhao Wei, was also arrested that day.

Li, whom the Guardian describes as a devout Christian and family man, began his career in intellectual property law. But the 45-year-old became known for his defense of political and religious dissidents, including Falun Gong followers, the Guardian reports.

On Jan. 8, 2016, Li’s whereabouts were finally revealed when the Chinese government announced that he had been formally arrested for “subverting state power” and was being detained at Tianjin Municipal No. 1 Detention Centre. Amnesty International reports that his son and daughter have been forbidden from leaving the country. His legal assistant Zhao Wei faces the same charges, according to Front Line Defenders.

“In China, especially these days, human rights lawyers face that risk always and everywhere,” said Li’s younger brother, Li Chunfu, to the New York Times shortly after his older brother’s arrest. “They’re clear in their minds that there’s the chance of a government crackdown, and they often have their own lawyers lined up.”

According to Amnesty International, Li Chunfu (who is also an attorney) was taken away by police on Aug. 1, 2015, and was also formally arrested for “subverting state power” on Jan. 8.