China: anti-corruption activist's supporter arrested
Event- Country
- China
- Initial Date
- Sep 13, 2013
- Event Description
Mr. Wang Gongquan is a business man and supporter of the New Citizens' Movement which reportedly calls for, inter alia, transparency about the financial assets of top Chinese leaders. He is also a supporter of Mr. Xu Zhiyong, a legal advocate who was the subject of an urgent appeal, among other activists, on 9 August 2013. According to the information received: On 13 September 2013, a group of police officers raided the home of Mr. Wang Gongquan in Beijing, and searched it, before arresting him on suspicion of "gathering a crowd to disrupt order of a public space". He is being detained at the Beijing No. 3 Detention Center, along with several other activists linked to the New Citizens' Movement. Serious concerns are expressed that the arrest and detention of Mr. Wang Gongquan may be linked to his legitimate human rights activities, including his support to Mr. Xu Zhiyong, a founder of the New Citizens Movement.
- Impact of Event
- 1
- Violation
- (Arbitrary) Arrest and Detention
- Intimidation and Threats
- Judicial Harassment
- Rights Concerned
- Freedom of association
- Right to information
- Source
- Monitoring Status
- Not active
- Event Location
Latitude: 39.90403
Longitude: 116.407526
- Event Location
- Summary for Publications
On 13 September 2013, Wang Gongquan, a businessman and supporter of the New Citizens' Movement, was arrested on charges of "gathering a crowd to disrupt order of a public space." Mr. Wang's house was also searched. It is thought that the charges against him are related to his support for the NCM, an anti-corruption civil society organisation, and his support of Xu Zhiyong, a detained NCM member. 18/09/13: A JUA is issued by the Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. 03/12/2013:China acknowledged the communication. UPDATE 22/01/2014: Wang was granted bail for "confessing to his crimes." Xu, meanwhile, goes on trial.