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Alert

Cyber-dissident Huang Jinqiu reportedly ill-treated in prison

(WiPC/IFEX) - International Pen's WiPC is alarmed about reports of the ill-treatment of dissident internet writer Huang Jinqiu, who is currently serving a 12-year prison term. PEN considers Huang's detention to be in direct violation of his right to freedom of expression and is calling for his immediate release.

According to reports received by PEN's WiPC, the dissident Chinese writer has been subjected to ill-treatment in Pukou Prison, near Nanjing City, approximately 200 km from Shanghai. Sources suggest that Huang is in great pain and is at risk of a mental breakdown. According to reports, he has also been denied books and is being held with criminals who have been encouraged by the prison authorities to abuse him. Huang's ill-treatment comes at a time when he is trying to renew his appeal of his sentence, and sources suggest that the prison administration may be trying to intimidate him into dropping any further legal proceedings with regards to his 12-year prison term. His first appeal was rejected without a hearing.