Human Rights in China has learned that Shanghai petitioner and rights defender Xu Zhengqing was released from Shanghai’s Tilanqiao Prison on the morning of January 29 after completing a three-year sentence for “provoking an incident, thereby causing a serious disturbance.”

Xu Zhengqing told Human Rights in China that Shanghai police returned him home in the morning despite the fact that family was waiting for him outside the prison. Now, many petitioners have come to visit him at home. Xu said the authorities are nervous about groups of petitioners gathering because the Shanghai People’s Congress (SPC) and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Shanghai Committee (CPPCC Shanghai Committee) are currently in session. Many police officers, including plainclothes officers, are stationed outside Xu’s home and closely monitoring the crowd.

Xu asked Human Rights in China to convey his thanks to the international community and media for their concern and support. He said he will not give up his rights defense work even though he may face further retaliation.

Xu was detained in Beijing on January 29, 2005, after attending a memorial service for former state leader Zhao Ziyang earlier that month. He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for “provoking an incident, thereby causing a serious disturbance.” Xu was allegedly beaten and subjected to other forms of abuse in prison.

In related news, Shanghai petitioner Shen Yongmei reported that she and other petitioners were removed from outside the SPC and CPPCC Shanghai Committee meeting venue on January 27. The petitioners were taken away in a large vehicle and forced to get out in the outer suburb of Fengxian. It was midnight before the petitioners were able to return home. Other petitioners were taken to the outer suburb of Songjiang.

• "Petitioner Xu Zhengqing Beaten in Prison," February 20, 2007, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/33477;
• "News Advisory: Imprisoned Petitioner Xu Zhengqing Denied Family Visits," July 05, 2006, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/29473;
• "Press Advisory: Petitioner Xu Zhengqing Appeal Set for January," December 19, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/26440.
• "Petitioner Liu Xinjuan Sent to Psychiatric Hospital, Petitioner Xu Zhengqing Loses Appeal on 3-Year Sentence," January 20, 2006, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/26692.
• "Press Advisory: Open Letter to President Bush on Behalf of Xu Zhengqing," November 08, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/25942.
• "Three Years in Prison for “Disrupting Public Order”, " October 17, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/25232.
• "Witnesses Dispute Charges against Petitioner Xu Zhengqing in Trial," September 13, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/24705.

For more information on Shen Yongmei, see:

• "Detained Petitioners Finally Released After Close of Party Congress, Special Olympics," November 08, 2007, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45493;
• "Roundup of Shanghai Rights Activists on Eve of NPC Session," February 27, 2006, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/27307;
• "Massive Petitioner Sweep for China’s National Day," September 28, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/24999;
• "Petitioner Round-up Brings Threat of Psychiatric Incarceration," September 19, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/24875;
• "Retaliatory Detentions of Shanghai Petitioners," July 19, 2005, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/23669;