Zhang Jianhong
| Pen name: | Li Hong |
|---|---|
| Gender: | Male |
| Date of birth: | March 6, 1958 |
| Date of arrest: | September 6, 2006 |
| Arrested by: | Public Security Bureau of Ningbo city in Zhejiang Province |
| Reason of arrest: | Published dissent articles on the internet |
| Charge: | Inciting subversion of state power |
| Date of sentence: | March 19, 2007 |
| Sentenced by: | Senior People’s Court of Zhejiang Province |
| Term of imprisonment: | 6 years |
Zhang Jianhong (張建紅) (March 6, 1958 – December 31, 2010), pen name Li Hong (力虹), was a freelance writer, playwright, poet, and democracy activist in China. He was born on March 6, 1958 in Ningbo city of Zhejiang Province.
Zhang was sentenced to "re-education through labor" (RTL) from 1989 to 1991 on charges of "counter-revolutionary propaganda" for his pro-democracy activities. In August 2005 Zhang and his friends founded the literary and news website Aegean Sea, Aiqinhai.org, of which he was editor-in-chief. Aegean Sea was renowned for its daring articles but was shut down by the authorities on March 9, 2006. After that Zhang became a regular contributor to the overseas Chinese Epoch Times and often published articles depicting current fraud and corruption and criticizing the China Communist Party (CCP).
Days after Zhang posted an essay online about China's human rights record and, in particular, the treatment of journalists and their sources in the run-up to the 2008 Olympic games, on the evening of September 6, 2006 over 20 CCP policemen raided Zhang’s home in Ningbo and arrested him, according to his wife Dong Min.
Zhang was accused of writing 60 articles that "slandered the government and China's socialist system" and “inciting subversion of state power.” His articles written in 2006 include:
On March 19, 2007 Zhang was sentenced for six years in prison plus one year’s deprivation of political rights by the Senior People's Court of Zhejiang Province that was controlled by CCP Central Political and Law Commission.
After that, Zhang was immediately transferred to Huzhou Changhu prison. In Changhu prison Zhang was reportedly suffering from muscle necrosis, a condition that was made worse due to lack of adequate medical care in jail. A medical evaluation determined that he suffered from a rare nerve disorder that could lead to permanent paralysis if not treated. On his doctor’s advice, he applied for medical parole on 31 May 2007. There was no response to his application; he was instead been transferred to Zhejiang Prison.
As Zhang’s health was turning worse in Zhejiang Prison, he was sent to Hangzhou Qingchun Hospital (or Zhengjian Central Prison Hospital). It was reported that Zhang's neuron disease is considered incurable. The illness led to his partial paralysis and continued to deteriorate despite transfer to the General Hospital of Zhejiang Prison in Hangzhou City. He could not eat and was on an IV drip. His life was at stake.
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