Beijing Painter and Calligrapher Mr. Zhang Jie Sentenced to Two-Year Forced Labour Term; His Attorney Applies for Administrative Reconsideration

Name: Zhang Jie
Gender: Male
Age: 49
Address: 402, Western Building No.4, South Haidian Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Occupation: Painter and Calligrapher
Date of Most Recent Arrest: October 29th, 2012
Most Recent Place of Detention: Haidian District Detention Centre
City: Beijing
Persecution Suffered: Forced labour, home ransacked, detention

Mr. Zhang Jie, a painter and calligrapher in Beijing, was arrested at home on October 29th, 2012 by officers from the Haidian Police Station. He was sentenced to two years of forced labour for possessing Falun Gong books and CDs.

Mr. Zhang and his lawyer submitted two documents for administrative reconsideration, and the Beijing municipal government Administrative Reconsideration Office has signed and accepted the documents. We urge the Beijing municipal government to make a correct choice, revoke the Forced Labour Written Decision against Mr. Zhang, and restore Mr. Zhang's personal freedom.

Mr. Zhang developed serious physical conditions during his detention. The detention centre officials twice unsuccessfully attempted to send him to a forced labour camp after his 2-term forced labour term was announced on November 13th, 2012. Mr. Zhang's detention has been extended beyond the legally prescribed time limits, but the detention centre officials are still detaining him.

Late last year, when Mr. Zhang couldn't take in any food and his life was in danger, the detention centre officers sent him to the public security hospital for treatment. However, the hospital refused to admit him because the hospital does not receive detainees whose detention has been extended.

Mr. Zhang Jie was arrested on October 29th, 2012, and his family still has not been allowed to visit him. When a family member made a phone call to the Haidian Detention Centre on December 12th, 2012, a guard named Li Jie took the call and told the family that Mr. Zhang's foot had been pierced. The wound was festered and refused to heal. Mr. Zhang was also diagnosed with high blood sugar levels.

Mr. Zhang's family has mailed many letters to him, but hasn't received any reply from him.

The translation of the statement of attorney for administrative reconsideration (Appendix I) and the additional comments on the statement of the attorney for administrative reconsideration (Appendix II) is omitted.

Haidian Detention Centre: +86-10-82587577 (The detention centre officer once made a phone call to Mr. Zhang Jie's family with this telephone number)