2016 prison census - China: Chen Shuqing
- Document source:
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Date:
1 December 2016
Chen Shuqing, Freelance | |
---|---|
Medium: | Internet |
Charge: | Anti-State |
Imprisoned: | September 11, 2014 |
Chen, a freelance writer and member of the China Democratic Party and the Independent Chinese PEN Center, was detained on September 11, 2014, in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province, on suspicion of subversion of state power, and his home was raided by agents from the Hangzhou Public Security Bureau. He had written several articles for the overseas Chinese-language website Boxun about pro-democracy advocates, many of whom are in the hospital or detention.
On June 17, 2016, a Hangzhou court sentenced Chen to 10 years and six months in prison for "subversion of state power." Chen's lawyer, Fu Yonggang, told reporters the verdict read, "Chen Shuqing published 14 articles on overseas websites Boxun and Canyu," and "through aforementioned proclamations, statements and articles, Chen Shuqing attacked and smeared the state power and the socialist system." Chen lodged an appeal with Zhejiang People's High Court and was awaiting the court's verdict as of late 2016, another of his lawyers, Liu Rongsheng, told CPJ.
Chen has been jailed before. He was placed under criminal detention on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power on September 14, 2006. On August 16, 2007, he was sentenced by Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court to four years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights for subversion of state power. After the original verdict was upheld at the appellate court, Chen was jailed at Qiaosi prison in Hangzhou. He was released on September 13, 2010, after serving his term.
Chen is being held at Hangzhou Detention Center, his lawyer, Liu, said.
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