COVID-19 whistleblowing citizen journalist Zhang Zhan will soon undergo a second trial in Shanghai on public order charges amid reports she is once more refusing food in detention, people familiar with the case told RFA Mandarin.
Zhang, 40, was one of a group of citizen journalists detained, jailed or “disappeared” after they went to the central city of Wuhan to report on the emerging COVID-19 pandemic.
In December 2020, she wasfound guilty of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble” -- a vague charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Communist Party -- and sentenced to four years' imprisonment.
Last June, she was released from that sentence, during which she repeatedly refused food, but then was re-detained in September 2024.
Now, she faces new charges -- also of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble” -- and will likely stand trial at the Pudong New Area People’s Court in Shanghai very soon, a person familiar with the case told Radio Free Asia.
Support for pro-democracy activist
The Weiquanwang rights website reported Jan. 25 [in Chinese] that the new charges are likely linked to a trip Zhang made to the western province of Gansu after her release to help detained pro-democracy activist Zhang Pancheng.
Prosecutors are now seeking a prison sentence of 4-5 years.
“She’s probably going to be tried again soon, and I think she’ll get four years,” said the person, who gave only the surname Song for fear of reprisals.
“She was brought back [to Shanghai] because she went to Zhangye, Gansu province, to see a fellow activist who had spoken up for her,” Song said.
Shanxi-based rights lawyer Zhang Xian said Zhang could get a sentence of five years or more, however.
“Four years is unlikely -- it’s likely she will be sentenced to five years or more, because she was sentenced to four years in prison the first time, and the court’s sentencing will be based on her past criminal record,” Zhang Xian said. “The authorities' policy is that ... it should be heavier than the previous sentence.”
A person familiar with the case also told Radio Free Asia that the prosecution had carried out a psychiatric evaluation and psychological assessment of Zhang and concluded that her mental state was judged to be “normal.”
RELATED STORIES
Whistleblowing pandemic journalist Zhang Zhan back in detention
Pandemic citizen journalist ‘taken to brother’s home’ in Shanghai
After years of hunger strikes, jailed Chinese citizen journalist is in hospital
Legal expert Lu Chenyuan said Zhang is highly likely to get a harsher sentence this time around, and that the psychiatric assessment makes her more likely to get a harsher term.
“Conducting a psychiatric assessment of Zhang Zhan is a way of stigmatizing her and ... damaging her image,” Lu said. “They will punish Zhang Zhan more severely as a repeat offender.”
Lu said that Zhang has been allowed to meet with her Shanghai-based lawyer, but the lawyer has been warned off making any public statements about the case.
“The lawyer who represents Zhang Zhan is under pressure from the authorities, and doesn’t dare talk about the details of the case,” he said.
Repeated calls to Zhang’s family, the Pudong New Area Detention Center and the District Court rang unanswered during office hours on Monday.
Refusing food
The Weiquanwang rights website reported on Jan. 25 that Zhang is once more refusing food in detention, and has been force-fed by staff.
“The process of force-feeding and the deprivation of adequate medical care constitute cruel and inhumane treatment in violation of the Convention against Torture, which China ratified a long time ago,” the group said in a statement on its website.
“We urge the Pudong Detention Center to stop force-feeding immediately.”
Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.