Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, charged with “provoking trouble and making disturbances,” is set to stand trial in the Pudong New Area Court in Shanghai in the near future. According to informed sources, the prosecutor’s office has recommended a sentence of 4 to 5 years in prison for Zhang Zhan. She was rearrested last August for rescuing detained social activists.
Zhang Zhan, 42, graduated from Southwest University of Finance and Economics and worked as a lawyer. In 2020, she reported on the initial outbreak of the CCP virus (Covid-19) in Wuhan after entering the locked-down city, resulting in her detention on charges of “provoking trouble and making disturbances.” She was later sentenced to 4 years in prison in December of the same year.
According to Radio Free Asia, on May 13, 2024, Zhang Zhan was released upon completing her sentence. However, just 3 months later, she was rearrested for trying to rescue the detained social activist Zhang Pancheng in Gansu, leading to her detainment on charges of provoking trouble and making disturbances in early September and being held in the Pudong New Area Detention Center in Shanghai.
On March 2, Mr. Song, a source close to Zhang Zhan’s family, revealed that her case is expected to go to trial soon. Rights lawyer Zhang Xian from Shanxi mentioned that the prosecution’s indictment recommends a 4 to 5-year prison sentence for Zhang Zhan, with the likelihood of 5 years being higher due to her previous conviction. He estimated that the sentence could be between 4 and a half to 5 years, based on past sentencing practices and governmental policies requiring a stricter punishment than the last sentence.
It has been reported that a lawyer surnamed Ma in Shanghai is currently handling Zhang Zhan’s case. Despite being able to meet with Zhang Zhan, the lawyer has been cautioned not to disclose any information about the case to the public.
Zhang Zhan’s re-arrest has garnered widespread international attention. Amnesty International previously stated that her re-detention highlights the CCP’s zero-tolerance attitude towards dissenting voices. Reporters Without Borders also called for the immediate release of Zhang Zhan by the Chinese authorities and to ensure her basic rights are upheld.
The report emphasizes that the international community is closely following the latest developments regarding Zhang Zhan and continues to urge the Chinese authorities to ensure her safety and freedom.