Chinese Court Sentences Wuhan Corona Citizen Reporter to 4 Years in Prison

February Wuhan Horrific Situation Revealed, Citizen Journalist Charged with Public Disturbance
UN Calls for "Release"... Excessive Crackdown on Freedom of Expression

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] A Chinese court sentenced a citizen journalist who reported on the situation in Wuhan, Hubei Province, where the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) first spread earlier this year, to four years in prison.

The Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Court on the 28th handed down the heavy sentence to citizen journalist Zhang Zan (37), who was charged with "public disorder," according to overseas media including Bloomberg, citing Zhang's lawyer.

It is reported that this is the first court ruling related to the case amid many citizen journalists such as Chen Qiusu and Fang Bin, who covered the COVID-19 situation in Wuhan, being detained or missing.

Zhang Zan, a former lawyer, reported from the Wuhan area in February and criticized the authorities for locking down the city without providing sufficient information to residents.

He also posted videos showing patients wearing oxygen masks lined up in hospital corridors and crematoriums crowded with people.

Zhang Zan stopped posting around May, and Chinese authorities later announced that he was detained on charges of spreading false information. Zhang's lawyer revealed earlier this month that when Zhang, who was in custody, began a hunger strike, the authorities forcibly inserted a nasogastric tube and provided nutrition, sparking controversy.

After the sentencing, the lawyer said, "Zhang Zan appeared to be greatly shocked. During a visit last week, he said that if a heavy sentence was handed down, he would continue his hunger strike until the end," and also stated that Zhang's health condition is not good.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed deep concern on the same day about the four-year prison sentence given to citizen journalist Zhang Zan.

The Human Rights Office tweeted, "We have cited his case throughout 2020 as an example of excessive crackdown on freedom of expression related to COVID-19 and continue to call for his release."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.