Chinese Writers in Prison of concern to PEN
CURRENT NUMBER IN PRISON: 38
Adulghani Memetemin
Writer, teacher and translator from the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous region, arrested July 26, 2002 after providing information to the East Turkestan Information Centre (ETIC), a Uighur rights and pro-independence group run by exiled Uighurs in Germany. Memetemin was convicted in June 2003 by the Kashgar Intermediate People's Court of 'violating state secrets and sending them outside the country' and sentenced to nine years in prison. He was reportedly denied legal representation at his trial and has been tortured in prison.
Chen Shuqing
Dissident writer and leading member of the Zhejiang Branch of the banned Chinese Democratic Party (CDP), arrested September 14, 2006 and charged with 'inciting subversion'. Chen's case has twice been handed back to the police for lack of evidence, but on August 14, 2007 he was sentenced to four years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights. He is still being held in the Detention Center of Hangzhou Ctiy, Zhejiang Province.
Dawa Gyaltsen
Tibetan dissident arrested in November 1995 for writing pro-independence pamphlets which were posted in April 1995 as part of widespread protests against the Chinese authorities. Dawa was charged with carrying out 'counter-revolutionary propaganda' and is now serving a 15-year prison sentence. He is currently being held in the notorious Drapchi Prison in Lhasa. He was reportedly severely tortured under interrogation, and has suffered numerous forms of abuse in prison, including beatings, psychological stress, and lack of access to fresh air. When he was first arrested, he was handcuffed and thrown into a dark room without food for ten days.
Dolma Kyab
English PEN Honorary Member
Writer and teacher, arrested on March 9, 2005 in Lhasa, Tibet for allegedly endangering state security in his unpublished book, The Restless Himalayas, which was comprised of 57 chapters he had written on various topics: democracy, sovereignty of Tibet, Tibet under communism, colonialism, religion and belief, and so forth. Dolma was charged with 'espionage' and 'illegal border crossing' at a trial conducted in secrecy, and sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. In July, 2007, he was reportedly moved from Chushul prison in Lhasa to Seiling Labor Camp in Xining, and is seriously ill with tuberculosis, for which he is receiving insufficient medical treatment.
Guo Qizhen
Cyber-dissident arrested on May 12, 2006 and charged with 'inciting subversion of State power' for 34 articles he published on overseas websites attacking the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party. Guo was sentenced to four years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights on October 17, 2006. He is being held in Cangzhou Detention Center No. 2 in Heibei Province, is reportedly nursing a broken leg and is in a fragile psychological state, possibly due to abuse.
Hada
Owner of the Mongolian Academic Bookstore and founder and editor-in-chief of underground journal The Voice of Southern Mongolia, arrested December 10, 1995 and sentenced to 15 years in prison and four years' deprivation of political rights for 'inciting separatism and espionage' on December 6, 1996. Hada is currently being held at No. 4 Prison of Inner Mongolia in Chi Feng City, and is suffering from stomach ulcers and coronary heart disease.
He Depu
Dissident activist and writer arrested on November 4, 2002 and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for 'inciting subversion'. His trial lasted a mere two hours before he was convicted on charges that stemmed from his collaboration with the banned China Democracy Party (CDP) and his internet essays. He has reportedly suffered numerous abuses in prison, including beatings that left permanent injuries.
Hu Jia
Dissident activist and writer arrested on December 27, 2007 on charges of 'suspicion of incitement to subsert State power'. He is currently being held at the Beijing Municipal Detention Centre and his wife has been placed under effective house arrest. It is believed that his arrest relates to online articles published criticising corrupt authorities and their handling of the AIDS issue. Hu Jia suffers from cirrhosis of the liver and there are grave concerns that his health will deteriorate in detention. According to information we have received, Hu Jia was officially charged with 'inciting subversion of state power' by the Beijing Municipal People's Procuratorate on January 30, 2008. On February 10, 2008, he received a visit from his wife and parents and was reportedly 'tired and stressed' but not showing signs of any severe mistreatment. On March 18, 2008, his trial commenced before the Beijing Municipal No. 1 Intermediate People's Court, and it is reported that his lawyers were given only 20 minutes to present a defence during the 4-hour session, against charges based on six articles and two press interviews by Hu. International observers and Hu's father and wife were reportedly barred from this unfair trial. On 3 April 2008, Hu was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights for his critical online articles and dissident activities. He has decided not to appeal his sentence.
Hu Shigen
English PEN Honorary Member
University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer, arrested September 27, 1992 and charged with 'counterrevolutionary crimes' for planning June 4 memorial activities in many of China's major cities. Hu was a founding member of the China Freedom and Democracy Party (CFDP) and China Free Trade Union (CFTU) and has campaigned for government accountability for the violent suppression of the Democracy Movement in June 1989. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years' deprivation of political rights and is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison. His sentence has recently been reduced by a total of two years. His health is deteriorating under harsh prison conditions and 'Class Two Close Supervision'; he is reportedly being denied medical care for a number of medical conditions.
Huang Jingqiu (pen name: Qing Shuiju)
English PEN Honorary Member
Internet essayist, writer and journalist, arrested on September 13, 2003 and sentenced to 12 years in prison and four years' deprivation of civil rights for 'organizing, planning and carrying out subversive activities' and for writing 'reactionary' articles on the internet. Huang was severely tortured during the first two years in jail. His situation has improved in the past year and his sentence has been reduced by 22 months. He is currently held in Pukou Prison, Nanjing City.
Jampel Gyatso
English PEN Honorary Member
University lecturer, political activist and dissident writer, arrested September 27, 1992 and charged with 'counterrevolutionary crimes' for planning June 4 memorial activities in many of China's major cities. Hu was a founding member of the China Freedom and Democracy Party (CFDP) and China Free Trade Union (CFTU) and has campaigned for government accountability for the violent suppression of the Democracy Movement in June 1989. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and five years' deprivation of political rights and is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison. His sentence has recently been reduced by a total of two years. His health is deteriorating under harsh prison conditions and 'Class Two Close Supervision'; he is reportedly being denied medical care for a number of medical conditions.
Huang Jingqiu (pen name: Qing Shuiju)
English PEN Honorary Member
Internet essayist, writer and journalist, arrested on September 13, 2003 and sentenced to 12 years in prison and four years' deprivation of civil rights for 'organizing, planning and carrying out subversive activities' and for writing 'reactionary' articles on the internet. Huang was severely tortured during the first two years in jail. His situation has improved in the past year and his sentence has been reduced by 22 months. He is currently held in Pukou Prison, Nanjing City.
Jampel Gyatso
Monk from Drakar Trezong monastery in Qinghai province, where he was on the editorial team of the monastery's journal, The Charm of the Sun and Moon, which contained poetry and other writing of a political nature. He was arrested on January 16, 2005 and sentenced to three years re-education through labor (RTL). He is currently being held in Topa RTL Camp at Huangzhong Dzong, near Xining, in Qinghai province, northwestern China.
Jin Haike
Geologist and writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Jin was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion. He underwent abdominal surgery on 20 November 2007 but remains in acute pain since returning to prison from hospital, and is reportedly not being given sufficient medical attention.
Kong Youping
Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting five articles and seven poems on an overseas website that alleged corruption. Kong was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 15 years in prison for 'subverting state power', a sentence that was reduced to ten years on appeal. He is currently being held at Lingyuan City prison, west Liaoning Province and is reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and deteriorating eyesight.
Korash Huseyin
Editor of the Uighur-language Kashgar Literary Journal, arrested for publishing Nurmuhemmet Yasin's short story Wild Pigeon in late 2004. Chinese authorities consider the story to be a criticism of their government's presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Huseyin was sentenced to three years in prison and is due to be released in 2008.
Li Zhi
Internet writer and financial officer in the Dazhou municipal government in Sichuan province, arrested August 11, 2003 after posting essays accusing Sichuan officials of corruption on an overseas website. Li was sentenced to eight years in prison and four years' deprivation of political rights on December 10, 2003 on charges of 'subverting State power'. Evidence was supplied by Yahoo!, which passed on his user information to the authorities. He is currently being held in Sichuan No. 3 Prison in Dazhu County.
Lu Gengsong
Writer and human rights activist, arrested on August 24, 2007 after his articles critical of the authorities were published online. Lu was formally charged with 'inciting subversion of State power' on September 29, 2007. For several months, he was held incommunicado at the Xihu (West Lake) Detention Centre in Hangzhou City. On 5 February, 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights for 'inciting subversion of state power.'
Lu Jianhua
Research professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Deputy Director of Public Policy Research, and Executive Director of the China Development Strategy, arrested in April 2005 on charges of 'leaking State secrets' to Hong Kong based-reporter Ching Cheong. After a secret trial lasting only 90 minutes on December 18, 2006, Lu was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing City jail.
Lu Zengqi
Falun Gong member and internet writer, sentenced on February 19, 2004 by Court No.1 in Chogqing, Central China, to ten years in prison for writing an online publication which 'tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members'. The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.
Ning Xianhua
Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting online essays supporting the establishment of trade unions and the China Democracy Party (CDP). Ning was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 12 years in prison for 'subverting State power', a sentence that was reduced to eight years on appeal. He is currently being held at Shenyang prison in Liaoning Province.
Nurmuhemmet Yasin
English PEN Honorary Member
Freelance Uighur writer, arrested on November 29, 2004 for the publication for his short story Wild Pigeon (Yawa Kepter), which Chinese authorities consider to be a criticism of their government's presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. After a closed trial in February 2005 at which he was denied a lawyer, Yasin was sentenced to ten years in prison for 'inciting Uighur separatism', and is currently being held in Urumqi No. 1 Jail. He has been denied all visitors, including his wife and two young sons, since his arrest.
Qi Chonghuai
Journalist detained June 25, 2007 following the publication on the Xinhuanet website of an article alleging official corruption in the Tengzhou Communist Party. Qi was formally charged with blackmail on August 2, 2007, before being held at the Detention Center of Tengzhou City for several months pending further investigation. His case was finally handed to the Tengzhou People's Procuratorate on November 2, 2007, a month later than required by law. Lawyers were told that more time is needed to decided how to proceed with the investigation. Lawyer Li Xiongbing requested that Qi be released on bail, but was turned down.
Shi Tao
English PEN Honorary Member
Journalist, poet, and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested November 24, 2004 after he emailed the Government's plans for controlling media during the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Shi was sentenced on April 27, 2005 to ten years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for 'illegally divulging State secrets abroad' after Yahoo! supplied his user information to authorities. He is currently being held in Deshan Prison, Changde City, Hunan Province and, though no longer subjected to hard labour, continues to suffer from stomach problems.
Tao Haidong
Internet writer and editor, arrested July 9, 2002 in his home in Urumqi, Zinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region while in the process of posting articles on the internet. He was reportedly accused of writing articles critical of the Government after allegedly receiving payment from overseas websites. Tao was found guilty of 'inciting subversion of State power', after being held incommunicado for several months, and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights on January 8, 2003. It was reported that his previously published books were mentioned in court as having 'brazenly defamed and insulted Party and State leaders'. He is currently being held in Changji Prison in Changji City, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
Tohti Tunyaz (pen name: Muzart)
English PEN Honorary Member
Ethnic Uighur historian and writer, arrested April 1, 1998 while on a research trip in Urumqi for his studies at Tokyo University, where he was working towards a Ph.D. in Uighur history and ethnic relations. Tunyaz was sentenced on February 15, 2000 to eleven years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for 'stealing State secrets' and 'inciting national disunity'. He is currently being held in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Prison No. 3 in Urumqi.
Wang Xiaoning
Internet writer and dissident, arrested on September 1, 2002 and charged with subversion for articles published online between 2000 and 2002. Wang was sentenced to ten years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights on July 25, 2003 after Yahoo! supplied his user information to Chinese authorities. He is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison and has reportedly been tortured.
Wu Yilong
Internet writer and China Democracy Party (CDP) activist, arrested in June 1999 for circulating pro-democracy articles on the internet and for his work with the magazine Zai Yedang (Opposition Party). Wu was sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of subversion on November 9, 1999. He is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 4 Prison in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
Xu Wei
Reporter for Xiaofei Ribao (Consumer Daily), arrested March 13, 2001 along with Jin Haike, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Xu was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion. Persistently arguing his innocence while in prison, including through hunger strikes, he has reportedly been placed in isolation and abused. His mental health may be affected.
Xu Zerong
Research professor at Zongshan University in Guangzhou, arrested June 24, 2000 and sentenced on December 20, 2001 to 13 years in prison for leaking state secrets and illegal business activities related to his research on Chinese military operations during the Korean War. Xu is reportedly being held in a section of Xichun Prison reserved for elderly and sick prisoners and is suffering from serious health conditions.
Yan Zhengxue
Dissident writer, painter and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested October 18, 2006 for his critical writings published online on overseas websites. Yan was sentenced to three years in prison and one year deprivation of political rights for 'inciting subversion of State power' on April 13 2007. He is being held in Shiliping Prison in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
Yang Maodong (pen name: Guo Feixiong)
Dissident writer, independent journalist and civil rights activist, arrested on September 14, 2006 and sentenced on November 14, 2007 to five years in prison for 'illegal business activity'. Yang has endured intense torture at the hands of prison authorities, including beatings, sleep deprivation, stress positions, and suspension by his arms and legs while attacked with electric prods. The abuse has reportedly driven him to attempt suicide. According to a letter his wife wrote to President Bush, he began a 100 day hunger strike on December 13, 2007.
Yang Tongyan (pen name: Yang Tianshui)
Dissident writer and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested without a warrant on December 23, 2005 in Nanjing and held incommunicado until January 27, 2006. Yang was convicted of subversion for posting anti-government articles on the internet and organizing branches of the China Democracy Party (CDP), and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. He is currently being held in Nanjing Prison in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, and his diabetes is reportedly worsening in prison.
Yang Zili
Writer and computer engineer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Yang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion. He is reportedly in poor health and not receiving the medical attention he requires.
Yuan Qiuyan
Falun Gong member and internet publisher, sentenced on February 19, 2004 to ten years in prison for publishing an online publication which 'tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members'. The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.
Zhang Honghai
Freelance writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Yang Zili after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Zhang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion. He has been subject to ill-treatment whilst in prison and has been held in an isolation cell. His health has declined and he is reportedly not receiving the necessary medical attention.
Zhang Jianhong (pen name: Li Hong)
Freelance writer, playwright, poet and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested on September 6, 2006 and charged with 'incitement to subversion of State power' for his critical articles published on overseas websites. Zhang was sentenced to six years in prison on March 19, 2007, and is being held in Changhu prison in Huzhou City. He is reportedly suffering from muscle necrosis, a condition that is deteriorating due to lack of adequate medical care. Zhang did not receive any treatment until 20 October 2007, when he was transferred from Qiaosi Prison to the Zhejiang Prison General Hospital. His condition is said to have worsened considerably as a result of prolonged lack of medical care. Repeated applications for medical parole have not been considered.
Zhang Lin
Dissident writer, pro-democracy advocate and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested January 27, 2005 for a number of 'subversive' articles he had written and subsequently posted on the internet between August 2003 and January 2005. Zhang was convicted of 'incitement to subversion' by the Bangbu Intermediate People's Court, Anhui province on July 28, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison and four years' deprivation of political rights. On September 13, 2005 he appealed at the Anhui High People's Court, but was unsuccessful. He is currently imprisoned in Nanjiao Prison in Hefei City, and is said to be very weak and suffering from several medical conditions.
Zheng Yichun
Poet, professor and freelance journalist, arrested December 3, 2004 in connection with 63 articles he had written for foreign-based publications and websites. Zheng was convicted of 'incitement to subversion of State power' on July 21, 2005 and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights. He is currently being held in Jinzhou Prison, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, where he is suffering from diabetes.
Zhu Yufu
Internet writer, founder and editor of the China Democracy Party's magazine, arrested April 18, 2007 and sentenced to two years in prison on July 10, 2007 after pushing a policeman during his arrest. Zhu is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 6 Prison in Haining City, Zhejiang Province. At the end of February 2008, his case was sent back to the first level court for re-trial by the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court, which may be a positive sign. He had previously been released in 2006 after seven years in prison for dissident activity.
DETAINED CASES
Jin Haike
Geologist and writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Jin was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion. He underwent abdominal surgery on 20 November 2007 but remains in acute pain since returning to prison from hospital, and is reportedly not being given sufficient medical attention.
Kong Youping
Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting five articles and seven poems on an overseas website that alleged corruption. Kong was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 15 years in prison for 'subverting state power', a sentence that was reduced to ten years on appeal. He is currently being held at Lingyuan City prison, west Liaoning Province and is reportedly suffering from high blood pressure and deteriorating eyesight.
Korash Huseyin
Editor of the Uighur-language Kashgar Literary Journal, arrested for publishing Nurmuhemmet Yasin's short story Wild Pigeon in late 2004. Chinese authorities consider the story to be a criticism of their government's presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. Huseyin was sentenced to three years in prison and is due to be released in 2008.
Li Zhi
Internet writer and financial officer in the Dazhou municipal government in Sichuan province, arrested August 11, 2003 after posting essays accusing Sichuan officials of corruption on an overseas website. Li was sentenced to eight years in prison and four years' deprivation of political rights on December 10, 2003 on charges of 'subverting State power'. Evidence was supplied by Yahoo!, which passed on his user information to the authorities. He is currently being held in Sichuan No. 3 Prison in Dazhu County.
Lu Gengsong
Writer and human rights activist, arrested on August 24, 2007 after his articles critical of the authorities were published online. Lu was formally charged with 'inciting subversion of State power' on September 29, 2007. For several months, he was held incommunicado at the Xihu (West Lake) Detention Centre in Hangzhou City. On 5 February, 2008, he was sentenced to four years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights for 'inciting subversion of state power.'
Lu Jianhua
Research professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Deputy Director of Public Policy Research, and Executive Director of the China Development Strategy, arrested in April 2005 on charges of 'leaking State secrets' to Hong Kong based-reporter Ching Cheong. After a secret trial lasting only 90 minutes on December 18, 2006, Lu was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. He is reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing City jail.
Lu Zengqi
Falun Gong member and internet writer, sentenced on February 19, 2004 by Court No.1 in Chogqing, Central China, to ten years in prison for writing an online publication which 'tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members'. The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.
Ning Xianhua
Internet writer and factory worker, arrested December 13, 2003 after posting online essays supporting the establishment of trade unions and the China Democracy Party (CDP). Ning was sentenced on September 16, 2004 to 12 years in prison for 'subverting State power', a sentence that was reduced to eight years on appeal. He is currently being held at Shenyang prison in Liaoning Province.
Nurmuhemmet Yasin
English PEN Honorary Member
Freelance Uighur writer, arrested on November 29, 2004 for the publication for his short story Wild Pigeon (Yawa Kepter), which Chinese authorities consider to be a criticism of their government's presence in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region. After a closed trial in February 2005 at which he was denied a lawyer, Yasin was sentenced to ten years in prison for 'inciting Uighur separatism', and is currently being held in Urumqi No. 1 Jail. He has been denied all visitors, including his wife and two young sons, since his arrest.
Qi Chonghuai
Journalist detained June 25, 2007 following the publication on the Xinhuanet website of an article alleging official corruption in the Tengzhou Communist Party. Qi was formally charged with blackmail on August 2, 2007, before being held at the Detention Center of Tengzhou City for several months pending further investigation. His case was finally handed to the Tengzhou People's Procuratorate on November 2, 2007, a month later than required by law. Lawyers were told that more time is needed to decided how to proceed with the investigation. Lawyer Li Xiongbing requested that Qi be released on bail, but was turned down.
Shi Tao
English PEN Honorary Member
Journalist, poet, and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested November 24, 2004 after he emailed the Government's plans for controlling media during the 10th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Shi was sentenced on April 27, 2005 to ten years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for 'illegally divulging State secrets abroad' after Yahoo! supplied his user information to authorities. He is currently being held in Deshan Prison, Changde City, Hunan Province and, though no longer subjected to hard labour, continues to suffer from stomach problems.
Tao Haidong
Internet writer and editor, arrested July 9, 2002 in his home in Urumqi, Zinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region while in the process of posting articles on the internet. He was reportedly accused of writing articles critical of the Government after allegedly receiving payment from overseas websites. Tao was found guilty of 'inciting subversion of State power', after being held incommunicado for several months, and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights on January 8, 2003. It was reported that his previously published books were mentioned in court as having 'brazenly defamed and insulted Party and State leaders'. He is currently being held in Changji Prison in Changji City, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region.
Tohti Tunyaz (pen name: Muzart)
English PEN Honorary Member
Ethnic Uighur historian and writer, arrested April 1, 1998 while on a research trip in Urumqi for his studies at Tokyo University, where he was working towards a Ph.D. in Uighur history and ethnic relations. Tunyaz was sentenced on February 15, 2000 to eleven years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for 'stealing State secrets' and 'inciting national disunity'. He is currently being held in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region Prison No. 3 in Urumqi.
Wang Xiaoning
Internet writer and dissident, arrested on September 1, 2002 and charged with subversion for articles published online between 2000 and 2002. Wang was sentenced to ten years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights on July 25, 2003 after Yahoo! supplied his user information to Chinese authorities. He is currently being held in Beijing No. 2 Prison and has reportedly been tortured.
Wu Yilong
Internet writer and China Democracy Party (CDP) activist, arrested in June 1999 for circulating pro-democracy articles on the internet and for his work with the magazine Zai Yedang (Opposition Party). Wu was sentenced to 11 years in prison on charges of subversion on November 9, 1999. He is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 4 Prison in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
Xu Wei
Reporter for Xiaofei Ribao (Consumer Daily), arrested March 13, 2001 along with Jin Haike, Yang Zili, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Xu was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to ten years in prison on charges of subversion. Persistently arguing his innocence while in prison, including through hunger strikes, he has reportedly been placed in isolation and abused. His mental health may be affected.
Xu Zerong
Research professor at Zongshan University in Guangzhou, arrested June 24, 2000 and sentenced on December 20, 2001 to 13 years in prison for leaking state secrets and illegal business activities related to his research on Chinese military operations during the Korean War. Xu is reportedly being held in a section of Xichun Prison reserved for elderly and sick prisoners and is suffering from serious health conditions.
Yan Zhengxue
Dissident writer, painter and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested October 18, 2006 for his critical writings published online on overseas websites. Yan was sentenced to three years in prison and one year deprivation of political rights for 'inciting subversion of State power' on April 13 2007. He is being held in Shiliping Prison in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province.
Yang Maodong (pen name: Guo Feixiong)
Dissident writer, independent journalist and civil rights activist, arrested on September 14, 2006 and sentenced on November 14, 2007 to five years in prison for 'illegal business activity'. Yang has endured intense torture at the hands of prison authorities, including beatings, sleep deprivation, stress positions, and suspension by his arms and legs while attacked with electric prods. The abuse has reportedly driven him to attempt suicide. According to a letter his wife wrote to President Bush, he began a 100 day hunger strike on December 13, 2007.
Yang Tongyan (pen name: Yang Tianshui)
Dissident writer and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested without a warrant on December 23, 2005 in Nanjing and held incommunicado until January 27, 2006. Yang was convicted of subversion for posting anti-government articles on the internet and organizing branches of the China Democracy Party (CDP), and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. He is currently being held in Nanjing Prison in Nanjing City, Jiangsu Province, and his diabetes is reportedly worsening in prison.
Yang Zili
Writer and computer engineer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Zhang Honghai after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Yang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion. He is reportedly in poor health and not receiving the medical attention he requires.
Yuan Qiuyan
Falun Gong member and internet publisher, sentenced on February 19, 2004 to ten years in prison for publishing an online publication which 'tarnished the image of the government by broadcasting fabricated stories of persecution suffered by cult members'. The newsletter alleged ill-treatment in prison of a fellow Falun Gong member.
Zhang Honghai
Freelance writer, arrested March 13, 2001 along with Xue Wei, Jin Haike, and Yang Zili after participating in the 'Xin Qingnian Xuehui' (New Youth Study Group), an informal gathering of individuals concerned with political and economic inequalities who used the internet to circulate relevant articles. Zhang was finally sentenced on May 28, 2003 to eight years in prison on charges of subversion. He has been subject to ill-treatment whilst in prison and has been held in an isolation cell. His health has declined and he is reportedly not receiving the necessary medical attention.
Zhang Jianhong (pen name: Li Hong)
Freelance writer, playwright, poet and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested on September 6, 2006 and charged with 'incitement to subversion of State power' for his critical articles published on overseas websites. Zhang was sentenced to six years in prison on March 19, 2007, and is being held in Changhu prison in Huzhou City. He is reportedly suffering from muscle necrosis, a condition that is deteriorating due to lack of adequate medical care. Zhang did not receive any treatment until 20 October 2007, when he was transferred from Qiaosi Prison to the Zhejiang Prison General Hospital. His condition is said to have worsened considerably as a result of prolonged lack of medical care. Repeated applications for medical parole have not been considered.
Zhang Lin
Dissident writer, pro-democracy advocate and member of Independent Chinese PEN Center, arrested January 27, 2005 for a number of 'subversive' articles he had written and subsequently posted on the internet between August 2003 and January 2005. Zhang was convicted of 'incitement to subversion' by the Bangbu Intermediate People's Court, Anhui province on July 28, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison and four years' deprivation of political rights. On September 13, 2005 he appealed at the Anhui High People's Court, but was unsuccessful. He is currently imprisoned in Nanjiao Prison in Hefei City, and is said to be very weak and suffering from several medical conditions.
Zheng Yichun
Poet, professor and freelance journalist, arrested December 3, 2004 in connection with 63 articles he had written for foreign-based publications and websites. Zheng was convicted of 'incitement to subversion of State power' on July 21, 2005 and sentenced to seven years in prison and three years' deprivation of political rights. He is currently being held in Jinzhou Prison, Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, where he is suffering from diabetes.
Zhu Yufu
Internet writer, founder and editor of the China Democracy Party's magazine, arrested April 18, 2007 and sentenced to two years in prison on July 10, 2007 after pushing a policeman during his arrest. Zhu is currently being held in Zhejiang No. 6 Prison in Haining City, Zhejiang Province. At the end of February 2008, his case was sent back to the first level court for re-trial by the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court, which may be a positive sign. He had previously been released in 2006 after seven years in prison for dissident activity.
DETAINED CASES
Zhou Yuanzhi
Freelance writer who has published two books in Hong Kong, as well as over 500 political commentaries, reportages, essays and short stories under several pen names in overseas Chinese magazines and on websites. Zhou and his wife were taken from their home by police of the National Security Bureau of Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province on 3 May 2008. His wife was later released and placed under house arrest, whilst Zhou continues to be held on suspicion of 'inciting subversion of state power'.
RECENTLY RELEASED CASES:
Ching Cheong
Hong Kong-based correspondent for Singapore's The Straits Times, arrested April 22, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage after Chinese authorities claimed he received state secrets from academic Lu Jianhua. Ching was reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing. Ching Cheong was released on parole on 5 February 2008, two years before his sentence was due to expire, and was reportedly home in Hong Kong by mid-day.
Li Changqing
Deputy news director of the Fuzhou Daily, arrested December 16, 2004. After a series of charges, Li was finally sentenced to three years in prison on January 24, 2006 by the Gulou district court in southern China's Fuzhou city for 'spreading false and alarmist information'. He was being held in Yong-an Prison in Fujian Province and suffering from stomach inflammation. Li was released on the expiry of his three-year sentence on February 2, 2008.
Wang Dejia (aka Jing Chu)
Dissident writer, arrested at his home in Guilin, Guangxi Province, on 13 December 2007 on suspicion of 'inciting subversion of state power'. His family believe his detention is directly related to his articles published on-line on the Minzhu Luntan website. He was freed on bail on 12 January, 2008. However, his release is said to be conditional on him not writing anything 'subversive' or critical of the authorities. Items that were seized at his arrest, such as his computer, have not yet been returned to him.
Yu Huafeng
Deputy Editor-in-chief and general manager of the Guangzhou-based daily Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis News), arrested January 14, 2004 for alleged financial irregularities. Yu was sentenced to 12 years in prison, subsequently reduced to eight years on appeal, and then further reduced another two years and eight months. It has been reported that the evidence presented in court did not support the charges, and it is widely believed that that his imprisonment is part of a targeted campaign to silence the newspaper, which is known for its aggressive reporting on social issues and official corruption. He was released on 8 February, 2008, having completed his reduced sentence.
Zhao Yan
News assistant at the Beijing bureau of the New York Times and former reporter for China Reform magazine, arrested 17 September 2004. He was charged with "providing state secrets to foreigners" for an article published in the New York Times on 7 September 2004 revealing Jiang Zemin's retirement from the position of Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the transfer of leadership to President Hu Jintao. The article preceded the official announcement about Jiang's retirement, which was made on 19 September 2004. He was released on 15 September 2007, after completing a three-year prison sentence for his writings.
Ching Cheong
Hong Kong-based correspondent for Singapore's The Straits Times, arrested April 22, 2005 and sentenced to five years in prison on charges of espionage after Chinese authorities claimed he received state secrets from academic Lu Jianhua. Ching was reportedly being held incommunicado in Beijing. Ching Cheong was released on parole on 5 February 2008, two years before his sentence was due to expire, and was reportedly home in Hong Kong by mid-day.
Li Changqing
Deputy news director of the Fuzhou Daily, arrested December 16, 2004. After a series of charges, Li was finally sentenced to three years in prison on January 24, 2006 by the Gulou district court in southern China's Fuzhou city for 'spreading false and alarmist information'. He was being held in Yong-an Prison in Fujian Province and suffering from stomach inflammation. Li was released on the expiry of his three-year sentence on February 2, 2008.
Wang Dejia (aka Jing Chu)
Dissident writer, arrested at his home in Guilin, Guangxi Province, on 13 December 2007 on suspicion of 'inciting subversion of state power'. His family believe his detention is directly related to his articles published on-line on the Minzhu Luntan website. He was freed on bail on 12 January, 2008. However, his release is said to be conditional on him not writing anything 'subversive' or critical of the authorities. Items that were seized at his arrest, such as his computer, have not yet been returned to him.
Yu Huafeng
Deputy Editor-in-chief and general manager of the Guangzhou-based daily Nanfang Dushi Bao (Southern Metropolis News), arrested January 14, 2004 for alleged financial irregularities. Yu was sentenced to 12 years in prison, subsequently reduced to eight years on appeal, and then further reduced another two years and eight months. It has been reported that the evidence presented in court did not support the charges, and it is widely believed that that his imprisonment is part of a targeted campaign to silence the newspaper, which is known for its aggressive reporting on social issues and official corruption. He was released on 8 February, 2008, having completed his reduced sentence.
Zhao Yan
News assistant at the Beijing bureau of the New York Times and former reporter for China Reform magazine, arrested 17 September 2004. He was charged with "providing state secrets to foreigners" for an article published in the New York Times on 7 September 2004 revealing Jiang Zemin's retirement from the position of Chairman of the Central Military Commission and the transfer of leadership to President Hu Jintao. The article preceded the official announcement about Jiang's retirement, which was made on 19 September 2004. He was released on 15 September 2007, after completing a three-year prison sentence for his writings.