KateYHuang
10-06-2004, 10:28 PM
Jailed Lawyer・s Wife to Appeal in Beijing
Jiang Meili, the wife of Shanghai・s lawyer Zheng Enchong, who was sentenced last October to three years in prison on charges of ：leaking state secrets,； is now in Beijing with her daughter. The purpose of her trip is to confer with Zheng Enchong・s lawyer and to petition a state government agency on behalf of her husband. Jiang・s companions include her elder sister and the mother of Hong Kong resident Shen Ting. Upon their arrival in Beijing, eight unidentified people followed them, preventing Jiang and her companions from taking photos.
Jiang Meili told Radio Free Asia that on August 16, around 7:00 a.m., she took a train from Shanghai to Beijing, along with her daughter and elder sister, as well as Shen Ting's mother. When Jiang and three people left the train station, they were followed closely by eight plainclothes agents.
While Jiang Meili and her companions were sightseeing in Tiananmen Square, the agents followed at close range. When Jiang's daughter attempted to take pictures, some of the agents attempted to prevent her from doing so. Jiang added that they were afraid of being captured on film and warned her against taking picture of them, followed by the threat of action. Jiang replied, ：Is anything wrong with me taking pictures for Shen Tong・s mother? Can・t we have the freedom to take pictures? Why don・t you interfere when a civilian matter is involved?； The agents were then unable to continue the harassment.
In early 2003, Shanghai attorney Zheng Enchong, on behalf of Shen Ting and local residents in Shanghai・s Jingan district, sued corrupt local government officials who colluded with the realtor Zhou Zhengyi in illegally demolishing resident・s homes. The case opened in court last May, and Zheng himself was arrested a week later.
Last October, Zheng was charged for leaking state secrets to an overseas organization, and was sentenced to a three-year prison term. Afterwards, Jiang went to Beijing twice to appeal, but each time she was intercepted in Beijing and brought back to Shanghai.
Shen Ting said that she now worries about her mother and Jiang in Beijing because last October she had the same experience as Jiang when Shen appealed for help in Beijing. She added that, as happened previously, two cars followed the four people, and they were then followed on foot when leaving the train.
At present Shen Ting is unable to visit her parent in Shanghai since her China Entry Pass was confiscated at Shenzhen・s Luohu Customs in February. The Police Department of Guangdong province have informed Shen that her China Entry Pass w ill not be returned to her for the time being.
On August 16 Shen went to the Hong Kong office of the Chinese Publicity agency and asked for the return of her China Entry Pass, but she was advised that her request would not be processed. She believes that it is extremely absurd that the Chinese government does not allow Chinese citizens to enter their homeland.
Jiang Meili, the wife of Shanghai・s lawyer Zheng Enchong, who was sentenced last October to three years in prison on charges of ：leaking state secrets,； is now in Beijing with her daughter. The purpose of her trip is to confer with Zheng Enchong・s lawyer and to petition a state government agency on behalf of her husband. Jiang・s companions include her elder sister and the mother of Hong Kong resident Shen Ting. Upon their arrival in Beijing, eight unidentified people followed them, preventing Jiang and her companions from taking photos.
Jiang Meili told Radio Free Asia that on August 16, around 7:00 a.m., she took a train from Shanghai to Beijing, along with her daughter and elder sister, as well as Shen Ting's mother. When Jiang and three people left the train station, they were followed closely by eight plainclothes agents.
While Jiang Meili and her companions were sightseeing in Tiananmen Square, the agents followed at close range. When Jiang's daughter attempted to take pictures, some of the agents attempted to prevent her from doing so. Jiang added that they were afraid of being captured on film and warned her against taking picture of them, followed by the threat of action. Jiang replied, ：Is anything wrong with me taking pictures for Shen Tong・s mother? Can・t we have the freedom to take pictures? Why don・t you interfere when a civilian matter is involved?； The agents were then unable to continue the harassment.
In early 2003, Shanghai attorney Zheng Enchong, on behalf of Shen Ting and local residents in Shanghai・s Jingan district, sued corrupt local government officials who colluded with the realtor Zhou Zhengyi in illegally demolishing resident・s homes. The case opened in court last May, and Zheng himself was arrested a week later.
Last October, Zheng was charged for leaking state secrets to an overseas organization, and was sentenced to a three-year prison term. Afterwards, Jiang went to Beijing twice to appeal, but each time she was intercepted in Beijing and brought back to Shanghai.
Shen Ting said that she now worries about her mother and Jiang in Beijing because last October she had the same experience as Jiang when Shen appealed for help in Beijing. She added that, as happened previously, two cars followed the four people, and they were then followed on foot when leaving the train.
At present Shen Ting is unable to visit her parent in Shanghai since her China Entry Pass was confiscated at Shenzhen・s Luohu Customs in February. The Police Department of Guangdong province have informed Shen that her China Entry Pass w ill not be returned to her for the time being.
On August 16 Shen went to the Hong Kong office of the Chinese Publicity agency and asked for the return of her China Entry Pass, but she was advised that her request would not be processed. She believes that it is extremely absurd that the Chinese government does not allow Chinese citizens to enter their homeland.