Bookseller Detained in China Says Sweden Is Using Him as a ‘Chess Piece’

BEIJING—China defended its detention of Swedish bookseller Gui Minhai, saying he was suspected of leaking state secrets, a day after a police-arranged appearance in which he accused Stockholm of using him for political gain.

The case of Mr. Gui, who was seized while traveling on a Chinese train last month with Swedish diplomats, has triggered broad condemnation. Sweden’s foreign minister this past week called the action a “brutal intervention” and protested a lack of consular access to Mr. Gui.