At the stage of criminal investigation, only lawyers can meet the criminal suspect, but the relatives of the criminal suspect have no right to meet the criminal suspect. If the suspect is a foreigner, with the approval of the public security organ, close relatives can meet the suspect, but only "can" but not "have the right".
According to the provisions of the Prison Law and the Regulations on Detention Centers, relatives and guardians of criminal suspects can only meet and communicate with them during their prison sentences.
Legal basis: Article 39 of the Criminal Procedure Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), defense lawyers can meet and correspond with criminal suspects and defendants in custody. Other defenders, with the permission of the people's courts and people's procuratorates, may also meet and correspond with criminal suspects and defendants in custody.
If a defense lawyer holds a lawyer's practice certificate, a law firm's certificate, a power of attorney or a letter of legal aid to ask for a meeting with the criminal suspect or defendant in custody, the detention center shall arrange the meeting in time, which shall not exceed 48 hours at the latest.
In criminal cases endangering national security and terrorist activities, defense lawyers should obtain permission from the investigation organ when meeting with the criminal suspect in custody during the investigation. The investigation organ shall notify the detention center of the above situation in advance.
When a defense lawyer meets a criminal suspect or defendant in custody, he can learn about the case, provide legal advice and verify relevant evidence from the criminal suspect or defendant from the date when the case is transferred for examination and prosecution. Defense lawyers are not monitored when meeting with criminal suspects and defendants.
The provisions of the first, third and fourth paragraphs shall apply to the meetings and correspondence between defense lawyers and criminal suspects and defendants who are under surveillance.