Missoula student detained in China after dispute with cabbie

BEIJING (AP) — Police in central China have arrested an American college student on charges of intentional injury following an altercation with a taxi driver, according to the student’s mother and a family friend.

Guthrie McLean was formally arrested in the city of Zhengzhou earlier this week, said Tom Mitchell, Beijing bureau chief for the Financial Times who has known the University of Montana student since 2001.

McLean was trying to protect his mother from a local taxi driver in a dispute that took place on June 10, Mitchell said.

McLean’s mother, Jennifer McLean, said in an email to The Associated Press that she has not seen or directly communicated with her son since his arrest, but was able to pass messages to him on Thursday through the U.S. consulate.

“He is enduring,” Jennifer McLean said.

A U.S. official contacted McLean in detention on Thursday and he reported no physical or mental health concerns related to his detention, according to Marnee Banks, a spokeswoman for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.

Tester had urged the State Department to intervene in the case.

The Zhengzhou municipal public security bureau, when contacted by The Associated Press, said it does not take inquiries about individual cases. The U.S. Embassy in Beijing referred questions to spokesmen in Washington.

McLean’s mother has been teaching in Zhengzhou, where Guthrie visited her this summer.

The altercation occurred after a cab driver refused to give her 30 yuan (about $5) in change upon returning to her residence, Mitchell said. After the driver “started to rough up Jennifer,” Guthrie came out and pushed the man to the ground, he said.

Police arrived at the residence on Sunday, took Guthrie away and demanded he pay 100,000 yuan ($14,800) in compensation for injuries sustained by the driver, Mitchell and Jennifer McLean said. The price has since dropped to 60,000 yuan ($8,900), he said.