Veteran democracy activists Mu Chuanheng and Yan Peng from Qingdao, Shandong Province, were both formally charged with incitement to subvert state power on August 28th.

These charges follow by one day International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge's assertion during his recent trip to Beijing that, "It is not the task of the IOC to get involved in monitoring, or in lobbying or in policing human rights abuses," said Liu Qing, President of Human Rights in China. HRIC will inform the IOC every time a Chinese citizen is penalized for the peaceful expression of their views. "We firmly believe the IOC should care," said Liu.

Mu was arrested on August 13th for protesting the illegal detention of fellow activist Yan Peng. Mr. Yan was detained on July 11th on suspicion of illegal emigration. With the new charges, both men face harsh prison sentences.