Chinese Quake Dissident Jailed for 3 Years on "State Secrets" Charge
2009-11-24 9:52
A Chinese court sentenced activist Huang Qi to three years in prison on Monday on charges of so-called “illegally possessing state secrets.” Human rights groups decried the sentence, noting that the rather vague “state secrets” charge is often used by the Communist Party to prosecute dissidents.
Huang was detained in June 2008. He had been investigating claims that shoddy school construction had led to the deaths of more than 5,000 children during the deadly Sichuan earthquake earlier that year.
The trial was closed to the public—and Huang’s supporters who tried to attend were reportedly turned away violently by police.
Huang’s wife, Zeng Li, was allowed at the trial, but she said neither the judge nor the prosecution would specify what “secrets” her husband is accused of possessing.
She says the prison term is revenge by CCP officials who were angry about her husband’s probe into the school construction issue.
Huang was detained in June 2008. He had been investigating claims that shoddy school construction had led to the deaths of more than 5,000 children during the deadly Sichuan earthquake earlier that year.
The trial was closed to the public—and Huang’s supporters who tried to attend were reportedly turned away violently by police.
Huang’s wife, Zeng Li, was allowed at the trial, but she said neither the judge nor the prosecution would specify what “secrets” her husband is accused of possessing.
She says the prison term is revenge by CCP officials who were angry about her husband’s probe into the school construction issue.
