Mass Crackdown on Chinese Lawyers, Defenders and International Reactions: A Brief Chronology

2015

Jun 11

Xinhua News Agency publishes an article attacking rights defense lawyer Wang Yu (王宇)—who previously defended Uyghur intellectual Ilham Tohti, the “Feminist Five,” and Falun Gong practitioners—claiming she beat a young man until he was deaf and masqueraded as a lawyer under the banner of “rights defense” and “so-called” justice. Source.

Zhai Yanmin (翟岩民), rights defender, is criminally detained on suspicion of gathering a crowd to disturb social order. Source.

Jul 9

Chinese authorities launch a nationwide crackdown on lawyers and defenders that is unprecedented in scale, and begin disappearing, detaining, or questioning lawyers and activists throughout China. In less than one week, at least 159 individuals are targeted, including lawyers Wang Yu, Zhou Shifeng (周世鋒), and Sui Muqing (隋牧青)—all known for their rights defense work. Source.

Wang Yu’s husband, Bao Longjun (包龙军), and their 16-year old son, Bao Zhuoxuan (包卓轩) also known as Bao Mengmeng (包蒙蒙), are also detained while en route to Australia. Bao Zhuoxuan is released two days later, on July 11. Source.

Jul 10

Lawyer Li Heping’s (李和平) house is searched and he is taken away by police from Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau. His firm, Globe-Law Law Firm (高文律师事务所) is also searched and his legal assistant Zhao Wei (赵威), also known as Kao La (考拉), is taken away, whereabouts unknown. Ten days later, on July 20, his other assistant, Gao Yue (高月), goes missing. Source.

Hu Shigen (胡石根), a longtime democracy and religious freedom activist, is taken away and criminally detained the following day. Source.

Gou Hongguo (勾洪国), Beijing-based activist, is taken away from his home. Source. 

Lawyer Xie Yang (谢阳) is taken away on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power and disturbing courtroom order. He is placed under residential surveillance “at a designated location.” Source.

Jul 12

The People’s Daily publishes an article accusing rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng, director of Beijing Fengrui Law Firm (北京锋锐律所), and other lawyers of being members of a criminal syndicate aimed at smearing the CPC and “disturbing social order” in the name of rights defense. Source.

July 16

Five UN human rights experts issue a strong statement condemning the crackdown on lawyers and their associates. Source.

Jul 18

Xinhua News Agency publishes an article, “Pursuing the Case of Beijing Fengrui Law Firm,” which reports that Zhou Shifeng has “confessed” and that he, along with eight other lawyers, including Wang Yu, Li Heping, and Xie Yanyi (谢燕益), and three activists, have been subjected to “criminal compulsory measures” for being members of a suspected “major crime syndicate.” Source.

Jul 30

Zhao Wei is found being held at a detention center in Tianjin after her disappearance 18 days prior. Source.

Aug 1

Li Chunfu (李春富), younger brother of Li Heping, is taken away by police from the Hexi District Branch of the Tianjin Municipal Security Bureau. Source.

Aug 3

Wang Qiaoling (王峭岭), wife of Li Heping, files a civil complaint against Xinhua News Agency and eight other media organizations for defaming her husband in the July 18 article. After looking for her husband at numerous public security bureaus, she still has no information about his whereabouts. Source.

Aug 6

Wang Qiaoling is forcibly taken from her home by police; she is questioned about essays published online regarding her husband, Li Heping’s, disappearance. Source.

Aug 7

Wang Yu's lawyer Li Yuhan (李昱函) receives notice from the Hexi District branch of the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau that Wang Yu is being detained on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power, and meeting with her is not allowed. Source.

Almost one month into the crackdown on lawyers and defenders, at least 267 have been targeted—with criminal detention, house arrest, and residential surveillance—and 32 are still missing or detained. Source.

Oct 6

Bao Zhuoxuan, son of Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, is taken away, along with activists Tang Zhishun (唐志顺) and Xing Qingxian (幸清贤), from a guesthouse in a Burmese border town, reportedly by uniformed Thai police, after attempting to flee China for the U.S. The Burmese government denies any involvement in the incident. Source. Bao reappears a few days later at his grandmother’s home in Inner Mongolia, reportedly being kept under house arrest. Source.

Oct 17

Wang Yu and Bao Longjun, not seen since being taken into custody on July 9, are shown separately on a CCTV program condemning what is portrayed in the program as a failed attempt to smuggle their son, Bao Zhuoxuan, out of China. There is speculation that these statements were coerced. Source.

2016

Jan 8-9 

Six months into the crackdown on lawyers and defenders, at least 316 have been targeted—with criminal detention, house arrest, and residential surveillance—and 36 are still missing or detained. Source.

According to China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG), a Hong Kong-based NGO, a number of lawyers and other individuals have been formally arrested. Lawyer Xie Yang is held at Changsha No.2 Detention Center while the others are held at detention centers in Tianjin. Source.

The individuals arrested and the charges against them are:

Jan 19

Following a Xinhua article reporting his detention on suspicion of having engaged in activities harmful to China’s national security, Peter Dahlin, a Swedish NGO worker in China, appears on CCTV admitting that his NGO, Chinese Urgent Action Working Group, collaborated with the Beijing Fengrui Law Firm, including with detained lawyer Wang Quangzhang, and provided financial support to other lawyers for their work. Source.

Mar 1

Wang Yu’s defense counsel, Li Yuhan (李昱函), is informed during a visit to the Tianjin Municipal Detention Center to request a meeting with Wang that she has already pleaded guilty and has also terminated Li’s legal representation. Source.

Mar 10

At the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council, Keith Harper, U.S. Ambassador to HRC, delivers a joint statement on behalf of 12 HRC member states expressing concern about “China’s deteriorating human rights record, notably the arrests and ongoing detention of rights activists, civil society leaders, and lawyers.” Source.

May 24

The European Union issues a statement expressing concern about the crackdown on lawyers and defenders, and urges China to fulfill its international human rights obligations by respecting freedom of expression and rule of law. Source.

Jun 6

Wives of three lawyers and rights defenders targeted in the crackdown—Li Wenzu (李文足), wife of Wang Quanzhang; Wang Qiaoling, wife of Li Heping; and Liu Ermin (刘二敏), wife of Zhai Yanmin (翟岩民)—along with four defense lawyers and a photographer, are taken to the Guajiasi police substation of the Hexi District branch of the Tianjin Public Security Bureau, after protesting their husbands’ detentions. Source. All of them are released on June 7. Source.

Jun 7

Liu Ermin, wife of Zhai Yanmin, reports being beaten while in detention on June 6. Source.

Jul 4

According to CHRLCG, on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the crackdown, at least 319 individuals have been targeted, with 24 officially arrested, 16 released on bail, one under house arrest, 39 forbidden to leave the country, and 264 temporarily detained, forcibly questioned, or summoned and later released. Source.

The individuals arrested and the charges against them are:

None of the detained lawyers or their assistants have been allowed meetings with their defense counsel or family. Source.

Jul 7

Tianjin Public Security Bureau reports on its official Weibo account that legal assistant Zhao Wei has been released from detention. Source. She apologizes for her actions in a Weibo post. Source.

Jul 8

Ren Quanniu (任全牛), Zhao Wei’s defense lawyer, is criminally detained for making up and spreading false information after he requests that authorities conduct an investigation into reports that Zhao was sexually assaulted while in detention. Source.

July 9

The American Bar Association announces it has selected Wang Yu to receive its first ABA International Human Rights Award. Source.

Jul 11

Around the one-year anniversary of the mass crackdown on lawyers and defenders, many governments, professional associations, and NGOs—including the U.S. Department of State; the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute; and CHRLCG along with 18 bar associations and lawyers organizations, legal academics, practitioners, and students—issue statements urging China to end the crackdown and uphold the rule of law. Source.

Zhao Wei has not been seen publicly since her reported release on bail; her social media posts appear to be controlled by authorities. Source.

Jul 15

No. 2 branch of the Tianjin Municipal People's Procuratorate announces on its official Weibo that it has indicted Zhou Shifeng, Hu Shigen, Zhai Yanmin, and Gou Hongguo on charges of subversion of state power. The People’s Daily and The Legal Daily publish articles attacking Zhou Shifeng and the three rights defenders, as well as criticizing “foreign subversive forces,” including foreign ministries and legal groups, for speaking out about the crackdown.  Source.

Jul 19

Ren Quanniu publishes “letter of apology” for comments he made about Zhao Wei during her detention. Source.

According to bowenpress.com, an overseas Chinese language news website, sources indicate that the trial of Zhou Shifeng, Hu Shigen, Zhai Yanmin, and Gou Hongguo for “subversion of state power” is scheduled to begin on August 1. Radio Free Asia reports the following:

• Zhai’s wife Liu Ermin has never received even a notice on his official arrest.
• Hu’s brother Hu Shuigen (胡水根) said the family only received a notice of official arrest; the authorities appointed a defense lawyer who never contacted the family.
• Lawyer Liu Xiaoyuan learned from Zhou’s family that they never received any notice about the trial.

Several family members of the detained, including Liu Ermin and Fan Lili (樊丽丽), wife of Gou Hongguo, went to Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court to verify the August 1 trial date, but instead were forcibly taken away by police and detained. Source.

Bao Longjun is released on bail. Source.

Jul 31-Aug 1

Human Rights Campaign in China reports the following:

• Wang Qiaoling, wife of Li Heping, Liu Ermin, wife of Zhai Yanmin, and Li Wenzu, wife of Wang Quanzhang are returned home following their brief detention, but are being monitored by police and cannot leave their homes.
• Fan Lili (樊丽丽), wife of Gou Hongguo, is being forcibly returned to Shanxi after her summons. Source. 

In an article based on an “interview” with detained lawyer Wang Yu, The Paper, a Chinese language digital newspaper, says that Wang has been released on bail, and does not “acknowledge, approve, or accept” the American Bar Association’s human rights award. In the video “interview” embedded in the article, Wang praises China’s judicial system as being “civilized” and “concerned about humanity,” and criticizes lawyer Zhou Shifeng for not being a “proper” lawyer. Wang also says she is in good health. Source.

Reactions include the following:

• In statement, the Hong Kong-based China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group (CHRLCG) says that the claim by Wang Yu, a veteran rights lawyer, that “my various lawful rights have been very well protected” during her 389-day detention in which she has been denied access to counsel and any communication with family members is “not believable.” The group also expresses “worry” about Wang’s current situation and mental and physical state. Source.
• In a statement, eight relatives of the detained rights defenders express strong concern about Wang Yu being threatened and pressured into saying what she did in the video interview. Source.
• In a video tweet, artist Ai Weiwei urges public to “not acknowledge, approve, or accept” [Wang Yu’s “interview”] Source.

Aug 2

Xinhua News Agency reports that Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court has sentenced Zhai Yanmin to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for four years, and four years of deprivation of political rights for subversion of state power. The report mentions Zhai’s involvement with Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng, and Li Heping, and that the latter’s cases are being handled separately, but does not indicate their trial dates.  Source.

Heavy security surrounded Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court—police had cordoned off the area and required journalists to register. On August 1, Hu Shuigen and Li Shujin, brothers of Hu Shigen, were taken away from court’s gate by police and are being returned to Jiangxi. Source.

Xinhua News Agency reports that Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court has sentenced Hu Shigen to seven and a half years’ imprisonment and five years of deprivation of political rights for subversion of state power. According to the report, Hu pled guilty and will not appeal. In his final statement he said, “I recognize the severity of my crimes, and the huge damage I've brought to the country,” and resolved not to participate in any anti-Party or -government activities in the future. Source.

Xinhua News Agency reports that Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court has sentenced Zhou Shifeng to seven years’ imprisonment and five years of deprivation of political rights for subversion of state power.

According to the same report:

• Over 40 people observed the trial but none of Zhou's relatives, at his request.
• Zhou pled guilty and will not appeal.
• He said in his final statement: “My actions have brought instability and risks to society.”
• Zhou hired two attorneys, whom he met with multiple times before the trial. (Contrary to information previously published by Hong Kong-based NGO, CHRLCG.)

Xinhua News Agency reports that Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court has sentenced Gou Hongguo to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for three years, and three years’ deprivation of political rights for subversion of state power. According to the report, Gou pled guilty and will not appeal. In his final statement at trial, he said that he had been used by "foreign forces and those with ulterior motives" and resolved to “make a clean break with all those anti-government forces.”

According to CHRLCG, Ren Quanniu is released on bail after his July 19 “letter of repentance.”

According to Hong Kong Alliance, a Hong Kong-based NGO, the wives of Wang Quanzhang, Xie Yanyi, and Li Heping went to the No. 2 branch of the Tianjin Municipal People's Procuratorate to seek updates on their husbands’ cases. They were told that Wang and Xie’s cases have been received by the Procuratorate (for indictment), and Li’s case has been sent back to the Public Security Bureau for further investigation. The women were insulted by a Procuratorate official during their visit. Source.

The United States, European Union, and a group of NGOs issue statements on the convictions of Zhai Yanmin, Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng, and Gou Hongguo on subversion charges, calling on the Chinese government to drop all charges against the four. Source. 

Charge against Wu Gan (aka Tufu) is changed from inciting subversion to subversion; defense lawyer Yan Xin (燕薪) receives a notice from the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau denying him the right to meet with Wu. Source.

Wu Gan (web name “Super Vulgar Butcher”) is an activist and citizen reporter from Fujian, and former employee of Fengrui Law Firm. In May 2015, Wu helped to publicize internationally the case of a young man’s fatal shooting by railway police in Qing’an County, Heilongjiang. The case was later used as evidence against Zhou Shifeng during his August 4, 2016 trial, at which he was convicted of subversion of state power.

16 family members of Xie Yang issue a joint statement about the reported torture he suffered at Changsha No. 2 Detention Center: in August 2015, Xie was beaten so badly that he screamed and was knocked unconscious, and was then sent to 163 Hospital for an emergency rescue; in July 2016, he was also badly beaten—by death row inmates whom the authorities had moved into his cell. The family urges investigation into those responsible for the abuse and to “safeguard the reputation of China as a great country subject to the rule of law.”  Source: CH, EN (translation by China Change.)

Chen Guiqiu (陈桂秋), wife of Xie Yang, issues an account regarding her husband’s reported torture in detention, and says that Xie had told his lawyers: he would not admit guilt because he never committed the offenses charged, and he would definitely not dismiss his lawyer. Source: CH, EN (translation by China Change.)

Li Wenzu, wife of Wang Quanzhang, says in an account that when Wang’s lawyer, Yu Wensheng (余文生), went to the No. 2 branch of the Tianjin Municipal People's Procuratorate on August 9, he was told that Wang Quanzhang does not want a lawyer and has given up his right to a defense. Li believes the statement was coerced. 

Li also says that the authorities’ harassment of her family has intensified: Domestic Security officers attempt to prevent her from going out, even to register her child at a daycare center earlier in the day—and follow her everywhere. Source.

According to CHRLCG, Wang Fang will be tried on the charge of picking quarrels and provoking troubles on August 18, 9:00am at Wuchang District Court in Wuhan City. Some reports say that Yin Xu’an will also be tried on the same charge at the same time. Source.

Li Wenzu, wife of Wang Quanzhang—who has been experiencing intensified harassment by the authorities in recent days—was briefly detained at Xinyuanli Police Station in Beijing, and later released. Source.

According to CHRLCG, Liu Zhengqing (刘正清) lawyer for Wang Fang, is informed by Wuchang District Court that Wang Fang’s trial has been cancelled, pending further notification. Source. Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) reports that Yin Xu’an’s trial is also postponed. Source. 

Wang Qiaoling, wife of detained lawyer Li Heping, tells Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch (民生观察工作室) that just one day after the family moved into a new residence, her landlord requested to break the lease. She also says that she was forced out of her former residence by her former landlord who had been pressured by the authorities to end her lease. Source.

RFA reports that the Tianjin Municipal Nankai District court accepted a complaint filed by Wang Qiaoling, wife of detained lawyer Li Heping, requesting the court to invalidate the state’s appointment of two lawyers to represent Li. Source.

Liu Yongping is released on bail. Source.

Lin Bin (aka Monk Wang Yun) is released on bail.

According to CHRD, Daye Municipal People’s Court tried Yin Xu’an on the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles” in a hearing that was not announced in advance, and that Yin’s family was not allowed to attend. No verdict was announced at the trial’s close. Source.

Radio Free Asia also reported that Yin’s defense lawyer, Lin Qilei (蔺其磊), met with him at Daye Municipal Detention Center on September 12, during which time Yin said that he will not plead guilty as his actions did not constitute a crime. Lin says that Yin’s health is very poor—with high blood pressure and blindness in one eye—but the authorities have not allowed him to seek medical treatment. 

According to information received by Chinese Human Rights Defenders, Liu Sixin has already been released on bail. Source.

Li Heping is indicted on “subversion of state power.” Source.

Xie Yang is indicted on two charges of “inciting subversion of state power” and “disrupting court order.” Source.

The Guangrao County People's Court in Shandong Province tries and convicts Liu Xing (刘星, aka Laodao, 老道) of picking quarrels and provoking troubles before informing Liu’s lawyer Li Zhongwei (李仲伟) and telling Li that he had been dismissed as Liu’s defense counsel. Source.

Dec 29

Zhang Weihong (张卫红 aka Zhang Wanhe 张皖荷) is tried and convicted of gathering a crowd to disturb public order at Weicheng District Court in Weifang City, Shandong Province. She is sentenced to one year and eight months in prison and released the same day. Source. 

2017

Wu Gan (aka Tufu) formally indicted for subversion of state power (indictment dated December 23) and will stand trial at Tianjin Municipal No. 2 Intermediate People's Court, according to information published online by his defense lawyer Ge Yongxi (葛永喜).

At the Tianjin’s No 2 Detention Center this afternoon, Ge Yongxi was told that he would not be allowed to meet with his client until his representation of Wu Gan was confirmed by the court. Source.

Lawyers Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) and Liu Zhengqing (刘正清) meet with their client, lawyer Xie Yang, who has been detained since July 2015 on charges of “inciting subversion of state power.” Transcripts released from the lawyers’ interview with Xie Yang reveals the following: he remains in detention after refusing to plead guilty and frame fellow lawyers as conditions for his release on bail; he has suffered extensive torture while in detention. Source. 

Yuan Shanshan says that her husband, Xie Yanyi, has been released from detention but remains under surveillance in a hotel in Tianjin. Source.

RFA reports that Tang Zhishun and Xing Qingxian had been released from detention one month prior: Tang Zhishun has returned to his home in Beijing, but Xing Qingxian’s whereabouts remain unknown, according to his wife, He Juan. Source.

Lawyer Li Chunfu, brother of human right lawyer Li Heping, is released on bail and returned to his Beijing home in psychological distress. Wang Qiaoling, wife of Li Heping, reports that Li Chunfu was skin and bones, dazed, and in a state of extreme fear. In the days following his return he was anxious, aggressive, and violent towards his wife. Source.

Li Chunfu is hospitalized and diagnosed with symptoms of schizophrenia after experiencing extreme torture while kept under “residential surveillance in a designated place.” Source. 

Xie Yanyi returns home after being detained since July 2015. He was first released on January 5 but held under surveillance in a hotel in Tianjin. Source. 

A group of senior judges, lawyers and jurists from countries around the world including Australia, France, Spain, U.S. and U.K. issue an open letter expressing continued concern over the treatment of lawyers and legal assistants, as well as their colleagues, supporters, and family members in China. Source.

According to China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, while under “residential surveillance in a designated location” for six months, Li Heping, Wang Quanzhang, and other lawyers suffered extreme torture, including electric shock with voltage high enough to cause fainting. Source.

Wang Qiaoling, wife of 709 lawyer Li Heping, finds out after numerous inquiries that her husband is held at the Tianjin No. 1 Detention Center under a different name, Li Xiaochun. The detention center had previously denied that it was holding Li Heping. Source.

A group of senior judges, lawyers and jurists from countries around the world including Australia, France, Spain, U.S. and U.K. issue an open letter expressing continued concern over the treatment of lawyers and legal assistants, as well as their colleagues, supporters, and family members in China. Source.

The European External Action Service issues a statement calling for an immediate investigation into the account of torture of Xie Yang, and allegations of torture of Li Heping and Wang Quanzhang, and the release of the lawyers and human rights defenders who remain in detention. Source.

It is confirmed online that Xing Qingxian has been released on bail and has returned home to Chengdu, approximately one month after his actual release from detention. Source.

Wang Quanzhang is formally charged with “subversion of state power,“ according to his wife, Li Wenzu. Source.

An article in the state-run The Global Times claims that lawyer Jiang Tianyong fabricated reports of lawyer Xie Yang’s torture, and states that Xie Yang told reporters that he was in good condition and able to contact family members while being held under residential surveillance. Xinhua accuses four foreign media outlets of producing “fake news” in reporting Xie Yang’s torture claims. Source. 

China Central Television (CCTV) broadcasts an “interview” with lawyer Jiang Tianyong “confessing” to distributing fabricated reports of lawyer Xie Yang’s torture. Source. 

Chen Guiqiu, wife of Xie Yang, releases a video calling for international attention on her husband’s case. She also condemns the deterioration of the rule of law in China and urges the authorities to release all those detained. Source. 

Lawyer Chen Jiangang releases a half-hour video in which he stands by the veracity of his transcripts of his meetings with detained lawyer Xie Yang, who detailed acts of torture he suffered in detention. Chen also denounces state-run media reports that claimed that Xie’s allegation of torture was fabricated. Source. 

Xie Yang’s wife, Chen Guiqiu (陈桂秋), writes letter to the state-appointed lawyer, He Xiaodian (贺小电), criticizing him for meeting with Xie Yang without the knowledge of or permission from Xie’s family, while the authorities have repeatedly refused to allow the two family-appointed lawyers, Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) and Liu Zhengqing (刘正清), to meet with Xie. Source.

Chen Jiangang (陈建刚) receives another phone call from Beijing Chaoyang Bureau of Justice stating that he will be investigated for the transcripts he posted online regarding Xie Yang’s alleged torture in detention. Chen also reports that lawyer He Xiaodian has again met with Xie Yang, and stresses that the authorities refusing to let Xie meet with the lawyer of his family’s choosing is unreasonable and unlawful. Source.

Xie Yang’s wife, Chen Guiqiu (陈桂秋), issues statement that Changsha Intermediate People’s Court will try Xie Yang on April 25, 2017 for inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order, and that his defense lawyer at court will be He Xiaodian. Source.

Dozens of supporters gather outside Changsha Intermediate People’s Court for Xie Yang’s trial on charges of inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order but were told that the trial has been postponed indefinitely. Source.

Tianjin No.2 Intermediate People’s Court announces in a weibo post that it tried lawyer Li Heping three days earlier on April 25, convicted him of subversion of state power, and sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, suspended for four years, and with four years’ deprivation of political rights. The post says that the trial was not public because Li’s case involved “state secrets” (Source1; Source 2). In a Youtube video released today, Li’s wife, Wang Qiaoling, says she had not been informed about the trial and that a state-appointed lawyer showed up at her house in the morning and tried to snatch her cell phone away and tried to hit her (video, English translation).

May 3

While on holiday in Xishuangbanna, lawyer Chen Jiangang (陈建刚), his wife, two children, and two of his friends are detained at a Jinghong, Yunnan police station around 1pm. At around 5pm, all six are taken away from the station in vehicles by armed police. Source. In January 2017, published transcripts of his meetings with his client Xie Yang (谢阳), detained 709 lawyer, who detailed torture he suffered in detention. Xie is charged with “inciting subversion of state power” and "disrupting court order."

May 8 

Lawyer Xie Yang is tried at Changsha Intermediate People’s Court for inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order. No verdict is announced. The court announces in a Weibo post that lawyer Xie Yang is charged with “inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order.” The court also releases a video on a Hunan TV station showing Xie Yang admitting to working with foreign media outlets to sensationalize stories, and stating that he had not been tortured. Source.

State-run media outlet The Global Times reports that Xie Yang has been released on bail following the trial. Source.

Earlier this year, on January 13, Xie said in a hand-written note that was later released online: “If, one day in the future, I do confess—whether in writing or on camera or on tape — that will not be the true expression of my own mind. It may be because I’ve been subjected to prolonged torture, or because I’ve been offered the chance to be released on bail to reunite with my family.” Source. 

May 9

Lawyer Li Heping returns home. In photographs and a video clips released online, he appears to have lost weight and has visibly aged, with his hair now white. He was first detained on July 10, 2015.Source.

May 18

At an U.S congressional hearing titled “Disappeared, Jailed, and Tortured in China: Wives Petition for Their Husbands’ Freedom,” Chen Guiqiu, wife of Xie Yang, along with Wang Yanfeng, wife of lawyer Tang Jingling, and Lee Chin-yu, wife of Taiwanese human rights activist Lee Ming-che, testify about their husbands’ cases—including their disappearances, denied access to lawyers, and torture in detention. Li Wenzu, wife of lawyer Wang Quanzhang, also testifies via a video message. Source.

May 26

Family of lawyer Wang Quanzhang, including his father, mother, and wife Li Wenzu, are followed by police as they attempt to file a lawsuit against the Supreme People’s Procuratorate for illegal procedures in the processing of his case. Wang has been missing for 685 days and no information has been released to his family or lawyers. The lawsuit was not accepted by the procuratorate, which claimed the family did not follow appropriate procedures. Source.

Yao Jianqing is released after completing a two-year sentence for picking quarrels and provoking trouble (the dates of her trial and sentencing are unclear). 

Jun 5

Jiang Tianyong's father receives an official notice, dated May 31, 2017, stating that Jiang has been formally arrested on suspicion of subverting state power. The notice also states that he is being held at Changsha City No. 1 Detention Center. This is the first time his family has been made aware of his whereabouts in the six months since his detention. Source.

Jul 14

RFA reports that the Beijing branch of the China Law Association contacted Wang Quanzhang’s lawyer Yu Wensheng (余文生) to inform him that he is no longer instructed to work on behalf of his client. According to Yu, the Tianjin branch of the Law Association has appointed a lawyer but he does not yet know who the lawyer is. Source. 

Father of Jiang Tianyong, Jiang Lianghou (江良厚), is issued a warning by state security police after the family issued a statement criticizing the government’s “official appointment” of defense lawyers in Jiang’s case.  Source. 

Wang Fang is tried at Wuchang District People’s Court and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for picking quarrels and provoking trouble. Source.

Aug 14

Wu Gan (aka Tufu) stands trial at Tianjin Municipal No. 2 Intermediate People's Court. The court releases a statement on its weibo account saying that it did not hold an open trial because the case involved “state secrets.” It also stated that Wu recognized his behavior was in violation of criminal law and constituted a crime. Source.

Jiang Tianyong “confesses” and pleads guilty during his trial for inciting subversion of state power at the Changsha Intermediate People's Court. Rights groups regard the confession as coerced. Source.

Wu Gan’s defense lawyer Ge Yongxi again requests to visit his client in the Tianjin Municipal No. 2 Detention Center but the official handling Wu’s case would not set up the meeting. Source. Wu Gan still awaits sentencing after his August 14, 2017 trial. 

Sept 8

Li Yanjun (李燕军) stands trial and is sentenced for gathering a crowd to disturb public order. He pleads guilty. Source.