Statement on the sentence of journalist Zhang Zhan to four years of imprisonment in China
The Worldwide Association of Women Journalist and Writers (AMMPE) denounced the 4 years detention sentence to Zhang Zhan, former Chinese lawyer and citizen reporter, for the «crime» of revealing the spread of Covid19 in Wuhan.
The accusation of Shanghai’s court, that condemned her, was to spread mischievous infos about the virus, «looking for altercations and making troubles». This kind of accusation is frequently used in China against this kind of activists.
Zhang Zhan, 37, was arrested last may and is doing a hunger strike since several months; due to this fact, her lawyers are afraid for this citizen reporter’s health.
Rome, december 28, 2020