(China) Recently, concerns have been raised about Ding Jiaxi’s health in prison. The co-founder of the New Citizen’s Movement was sentenced to 12 years for attending a gathering organized by lawyers and activists. Even though Ding Jiaxi appealed for a second trial, there is no information about his second court hearing.
Health concerns
Ding Jiaxi’s defense lawyer Peng Jian visited him on October 10th at the Linshu County Detention Center in Shandong Province. He learned that Ding’s blood pressure suddenly rose, and even after taking medication, it could not be lowered to a normal level. “Ding Jiaxi’s blood pressure suddenly spiked, with the pressure (systolic blood pressure) rising to 180mmHg to 190 mmHg.” lawyer Peng Jian relayed.
“He has insisted on regular physical exercise, and currently, he doesn’t feel any significant discomfort in his body.” Ding Jiaxi informed lawyer Peng Jian.
High blood pressure
In July and August this year, he underwent a physical examination at the detention center, and his blood pressure was within the normal range. In early September, when he returned to the county detention center for check-ups, his blood pressure spiked above the normal range multiple times. The detention center provided him with antihypertensive medication, but even after taking the medication, his blood pressure remained higher than the normal range.
Supposed subversion
Ding Jiaxi, a prominent human rights lawyer in China, was sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Chinese government on charges of “subverting state power.” He was arrested by Chinese authorities at the end of December 2019 for participating in the “Xiamen Citizens’ Gathering” composed of more than 20 human rights lawyers and activists. After being detained beyond the legal limits for over three years, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison in April 2023. According to ChinaAid sources, Ding was tortured while in detention.
New Citizen’s Movement
Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong are key organizers and activists of the New Citizens’ Movement. In 2014, they were sentenced to 3 to 4 years in prison for advocating the closure of the assets and finances of officials and education equality in China. They both attended the Xiamen dinner in 2019, resulting in a second arrest.
Filing an appeal
October 10th marked six months since the sentencing of the two activists. Mrs. Luo Shengchun, Ding Jiaxi’s wife, stated that there has been no news regarding the trial of the second instance. She wrote an open letter to Chief Justice Zhang Jun of the Supreme People’s Court on September 17th, urging the Chief Justice of the Shandong Provincial High People’s Court to ensure an open and fair public trial in accordance with the law.
~Gao Zhensai, Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
