Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Lü Gengsong
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2017 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Lü Gengsong, 31 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a5c937b3.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Freelance | Imprisoned in China | July 07, 2014
| Job: | Internet Reporter |
| Medium: | Internet |
| Beats Covered: | Corruption, Crime, Politics |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | Yes |
| Charge: | Anti-state |
| Length of Sentence: | 10+ years |
| Reported Health Problems: | Yes |
Lü, a freelance writer and member of the China Democratic Party, was detained on July 7, 2014, and his home was raided by security officers in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province. He was charged with subversion of state power on August 13, according to Human Rights in China. On June 17, 2016, a Hangzhou court sentenced Lü to 11 years in prison after convicting him of the charge. The court said the conviction was related to articles Lü published on corruption, organized crime, and other topics, according to Radio Free Asia.
During an earlier hearing at a Hangzhou court on September 29, 2015, Lü tried to give a statement. The presiding judge interrupted and prohibited Lü from speaking, claiming the content of the statement endangered state security, according to Radio Free Asia.
Lü reported on the sentencing of rights activists and frequently voiced support for the protection of basic rights. In October 2013, Lü and others wrote an open letter and petition against China's presence on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Lü had been jailed before. On February 5, 2008, the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced him to four years in prison and one year's deprivation of political rights on a charge of inciting subversion of state power. A lower court found him guilty of publishing "subversive essays" on foreign websites, according to the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which monitors human rights and the rule of law in the country. Lü was released on August 23, 2011.
Lü lost his teaching position at Zhejiang Higher Professional School of Public Security in 1993 over his support of the pro-democracy movement. In 2000 his book, Corruption in the Communist Party of China, was published by Hong Kong Culture and Arts Studio. In March 2007 his article "China's Biggest Spy Organization: The Political and Legal Affairs Commission" appeared in Beijing Spring, an overseas democracy magazine.
Lü lodged an appeal with the Zhejiang People's High Court in November 2016. The court upheld his 11-year prison sentence. Lü was being held at Zhanghu prison in Huzhou, Zhejiang, as of late 2017. He suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes, and failing gallbladder. Lü's lawyer applied for medical parole, but it was denied, according to Radio Free Asia.
