Beijing, Sep 23 (IANS): Chinese activist Wang Meiyu, who was arrested after a protest calling for the resignation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has allegedly died while under arrest, his brother told Efe news on Monday.

Wang Meilin said his brother was hospitalized on Sunday and that the family received notification of the death from the authorities on Monday.

Wang Meiyu had allegedly been detained since July 8 in Hengyang prison, his hometown.

The family does not know when exactly he died or what the cause of death was.

His brother said it was "related to the local government".

Wang protested alone in the cities of Hengyang and Changsha last year with a banner that read: "Strong request for Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang, the first Chinese Minister, to resign immediately and allow national elections."

After the protests, agents of the Chinese security forces allegedly repeatedly threatened him until his arrest.

Chinese law allows any suspect to be held under arrest for up to six months before filing charges against them.