Lin Reporters Without Borders today called for the immediately release
of pro-democracy activist and cyber-dissident Zhang Lin, who
was arrested on 29 January in Bengbu (in Anhui province, west of
Shanghai) for posting articles on various websites. Police told his
wife he would be detained for two weeks.
"We firmly condemn the harassment of pro-democracy intellectuals
that has been taking place since the death of former Prime Minister
Zhao Ziyang," the press freedom organization said.
The two weeks of detention imposed on Zhang is an administrative
measure often applied in cases of disturbance of the peace. In his
case it is clearly intended as a warning that he should stop speaking
out and publishing articles.
A dozen policemen searched Zhang’s home on 6 February and
confiscated his computer. One of the police officers reportedly told
his wife that "he will not be treated nicely" if he continued to
write.
Zhang is a well-known activist. He often posts his articles on
websites linked to the Falun Gong spiritual movement such as
Dajiyuan.com and Epochtimes.com, as well as
Boxun.com, a website about human rights in China. In an interview
a few days before his arrest for the magazine Epoch Times,
which was also posted on its website, he described Zhao as a
"sincere man" and "unique Chinese leader."
Zhang was imprisoned from 1989 to 1991, and again from 1995 to 1998,
when he was sentenced to hard labour. He then left for the United
States to pursue his political activities, but reentered China
illegally a few months later and was rearrested a third time, at which
point he was sent to a labour camp until 2001. In all, he has spent
eight years in detention.
Yan Sham-Shackleton Online 