The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the punitive tactics employed by China authorities against prominent investigative journalist Qi Chonghuai, who has been sentenced to a further eight years’ imprisonment on the eve of completing a four-year jail term.
Renowned anti-corruption journalist Qi Chonghuai, 46, was sentenced to eight years’ jail by Tengzhou Court, Shangdong in eastern China on June 9 on charges of extortion, blackmail and fraud. However Qi’s two defence lawyers said the legal system is relying on evidence already used to convict Qi of identical charges in 2008, when he received a four year sentence. He will now remain in prison pending an appeal by his legal team.
“My children are refusing to speak after they found out that their father could not come back home as originally scheduled on June 25,” Qi’s wife Jiao Xia said through tears.
“Qi did not commit any crime. He is exercising his duty as a media watchdog and is working for a fair and just society. I only ask for a fair trial, nothing else.
“I don’t know who made the order to detain Qi continuously however I believe they are afraid my husband will disclose who treated him badly inside the prison.”
Qi, who had served at various Mainland media outlets including at Legal System Daily, Journalist Observer, People’s Public Security News and China Work Safety News, hadreceived beatings almost everyday in Tengzhou prison, according to reports. After an international outcry the journalist was reportedly transferred to another prison and assigned to work long hours in a coal mine.
Qi’s defence lawyer Wang Quanzhang told IFJ that they have already filed an appeal. Another of Qi’s lawyers Liu Xiaoyuan is under supervision by the security of bureau in Beijing because of his involvement in the Qi case and in that of prominent contemporary artist Ai Weiwei, who was released on June 22 from Beijing Prison after 81 days in detention.
“Premier Wen Jiabao, on his official visit in London this week has admitted that corruption coupled with inflation could jeopardise the power of China’s ruling Communist party and the stability of the country’s society,” the IFJ Asia-Pacific said.
“Qi Chonghuai is a true public servant for exposing corruption in China, and his efforts should be applauded, not harshly and repeatedly penalised by the authorities.”
Meanwhile the IFJ welcomes the release on June 26 of renowned environmental activist and writer Hu Jia after three years and six months imprisonment.
Hu, 37, who is suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, was convicted on December 25, 2008 of inciting subversion of state power after he wrote articles and accepted interviews with overseas media outlets. Hu and his wife Zeng Jinyan, who is also a human rights activist, were encircled by more than a dozen policemen in when Hu arrived home in Beijing on June 26.
According to Hong Kong-based broadcaster NOW TV Hu was warned by police department when he was about to leave prison that he can neither accept interviews nor express his own opinions because his political rights are curtailed for a further 12 months under his sentence. Zeng, whose communication with outsiders has been blocked, told the IFJ that they were under heavy supervision by Beijing security officers.
Hong Kong-based Ming Pao newspaper reported on June 27 that Hu said that he will continue to fight for human rights and said: “Having seen past history, we can’t maintain loyalty and filial piety altogether. I think loyalty should go to our conscience and human rights.”
Reports said that all overseas and Hong Kong journalists were barred from entering the compound of Hu’s home by more than a dozen policemen who provided the excuse that “the area is not safe”.
The Ming Pao report also said that Hu’s former colleague Peng Dingding was barred on June 26 from leaving his residential compound.
The Hu family is deeply worried that they face the same fate as blind human rights activist 39-year-old Chen Guangcheng, who with his wife remains under house arrest after Chen served a four year and three month jail sentence. They are not allowed to accept any interviews.
The IFJ calls on China authorities to immediately release Qi Chonghuai, and allow freedom of movement and freedom of expression for Hu, Peng, Chen and their families.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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