Young pro-democracy activist sentenced to 5 years in prison for "subversion"
Huang Wenxun is guilty of giving interviews to foreign newspapers, in which he encouraged Chinese activism against the companies. He was tortured in prison and held in detention for three years before trial.
Xianning (AsiaNews / CHRD) - The young activist Huang Wenxun was sentenced to five years in prison on 28 September, after spending three years in detention before trial.
The Xianning court (Hubei) has accused Huang, 26, of "incitement to subvert state power". As evidence the verdict cites Huang’s tour entitled "Lighting China", made to encourage activism among citizens and raise awareness on democracy and the rule of law. In 2012 he had also participated in a demonstration which called for Party members to publish their economic budgets.
During the trial, which began on June 24, the courts repeatedly blocked his defense lawyers who were not able to challenge the "evidence" that emerged. Huang was tortured with electric shocks while in prison in the detention center of Jiayu County. The young man is now in Chibi prison.
The charge of "subversion of state power" is overly abused in China and can target the slightest dissent against the official line of the Chinese Communist Party. In the verdict against Huang, as an example of "subversion", the court cited the fact that Huang has used the internet, has complained in public and organized a tour that would have "harmed national security." In addition, he gave interviews to foreign newspapers and websites.
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