Dissident journalist sentenced to eight more years in jail without evidence
In jail since 2007, well-known dissident journalist Qi Chonghuai is sentenced to eight more years in prison for corruption. The court did not explain how he could have committed this crime whilst behind bars. Meanwhile, in Tibet, police arrests and beat a 25-year-old writer who is fighting for his people’s freedom. More Buddhist monks are arrested as well.
Beijing (AsiaNews) – China’s Communist government continues its policy of total repression against any form of domestic dissidence. Despite official proclamations in favour of a “harmonious society”, the regime has decided not to maintain even the appearance of the rule of law. A Chinese journalist and a Tibetan writer are the latest victims of the patent injustice of the country’s courts and police.
After four years in prison, Qi Chonghuai was sentenced on 26 June to eight more years. He had reported extensively on corruption in China’s administrations. His family, which was waiting for him outside of the prison to celebrate his release, was told by a journalist that heard the new sentence.
According to the court, Qi was guilty of corruption and bribes in connection with public officials. It did not explain however how he could have committed new crimes whilst purging a four-year sentence in prison. According to lawyer Wang Quanzhang, the sentence is absurd. Qi could not have offended again since he was in prison.
In 2007, Qi posted photographs of a luxury government building to expose corruption by public officials, but was charged instead, and later convicted, of trying to blackmail the official involved.
Upon hearing the court’s decision, Qi’s wife Jiao Xia texted her husband's lawyers a message on his behalf. It said, "Thanks for your help; I will return it in my next life. Wishing all is well with good people."
Beijing’s repression is not limited to domestic dissidents but also involves Xinjiang, the land of the Uyghurs, and Tibet.
According to sources of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), writer Pema Rinchen, 25, was arrested by Chinese authorities in Drango County. He is known for his criticism of Chinese policies in Tibet.
Soon after his arrest, he was taken to hospital because of the beating he received from police.
As soon as they got the news, Pema’s family went to the hospital to visit him, but police officers standing outside his room prevented them from seeing him.
After spending his childhood in a monastery, Pema devoted himself with passion to the cause of the Tibetan people. He travelled across the region and interviewed activists and victims of the 2008 clashes and published his findings in an underground book that had a distribution of about 2,000 copies.
In recent months, China’s Communist regime has tightened its grip on Tibetan intellectuals. Since 2008, when huge protests shook the region, more than 60 journalists, dissidents, artists, writers and philosophers have been arrested, beaten and given lengthy prison sentences.
Monasteries have also been targeted for repression. For Beijing, they are centres of anti-Chinese resistance.
According to the TCHRD, at least 13 Buddhist monks have been recently detained and jailed.
Two of them, Sonam Choegyal and Sonam Nyima, both 19, received a three-year sentence for their role in last year’s demonstrations. The fate of the others is still unknown.
After four years in prison, Qi Chonghuai was sentenced on 26 June to eight more years. He had reported extensively on corruption in China’s administrations. His family, which was waiting for him outside of the prison to celebrate his release, was told by a journalist that heard the new sentence.
According to the court, Qi was guilty of corruption and bribes in connection with public officials. It did not explain however how he could have committed new crimes whilst purging a four-year sentence in prison. According to lawyer Wang Quanzhang, the sentence is absurd. Qi could not have offended again since he was in prison.
In 2007, Qi posted photographs of a luxury government building to expose corruption by public officials, but was charged instead, and later convicted, of trying to blackmail the official involved.
Upon hearing the court’s decision, Qi’s wife Jiao Xia texted her husband's lawyers a message on his behalf. It said, "Thanks for your help; I will return it in my next life. Wishing all is well with good people."
Beijing’s repression is not limited to domestic dissidents but also involves Xinjiang, the land of the Uyghurs, and Tibet.
According to sources of the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD), writer Pema Rinchen, 25, was arrested by Chinese authorities in Drango County. He is known for his criticism of Chinese policies in Tibet.
Soon after his arrest, he was taken to hospital because of the beating he received from police.
As soon as they got the news, Pema’s family went to the hospital to visit him, but police officers standing outside his room prevented them from seeing him.
After spending his childhood in a monastery, Pema devoted himself with passion to the cause of the Tibetan people. He travelled across the region and interviewed activists and victims of the 2008 clashes and published his findings in an underground book that had a distribution of about 2,000 copies.
In recent months, China’s Communist regime has tightened its grip on Tibetan intellectuals. Since 2008, when huge protests shook the region, more than 60 journalists, dissidents, artists, writers and philosophers have been arrested, beaten and given lengthy prison sentences.
Monasteries have also been targeted for repression. For Beijing, they are centres of anti-Chinese resistance.
According to the TCHRD, at least 13 Buddhist monks have been recently detained and jailed.
Two of them, Sonam Choegyal and Sonam Nyima, both 19, received a three-year sentence for their role in last year’s demonstrations. The fate of the others is still unknown.
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