Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Wen Ming
| Publisher | Committee to Protect Journalists |
| Publication Date | 31 December 2017 |
| Cite as | Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Imprisoned in 2017 - Wen Ming, 31 December 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5a5c92adfd.html [accessed 6 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 | December 12, 2016
| Job: | Internet Reporter |
| Medium: | Internet |
| Beats Covered: | Corruption, Human Rights |
| Gender: | Male |
| Local or Foreign: | Local |
| Freelance: | Yes |
| Charge: | Anti-state |
| Length of Sentence: | 1 year to <5 years |
| Reported Health Problems: | No |
Police detained Wen Ming, also known as Hai Wenming, on December 12, 2016, in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Wen was sentenced to two years in prison for "disrupting the social order" by a court in Tongliao in the summer of 2017, according to news reports.
The arrest came after Wen published a series of articles about land disputes between Horqin Left Rear Banner and a neighboring village. Wen's articles detailed the disputes and local officials' suppression of residents' efforts to petition authorities, according to Radio Free Asia.
Xinna, a human rights activist in Inner Mongolia, told CPJ that Wen's reporting was critical of how police handled the disputes and that Hohhot police threatened Wen's family, warning them not to contact anyone regarding his case.
CPJ's attempts to call to the Tongliao Public Security Bureau went unanswered. Wen's lawyer, Wang Yulin, immediately ended a phone call when a CPJ representative identified herself.
As of late 2017, CPJ was unable to determine where Wen was being held.
