CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-454208
Huang Qi: Detention after Sichuan Earthquake Inquiries and Three-Year Sentence
Date
2008-06-10
Location
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Event Type
Detention · Trial · Sentencing
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of the Press · Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial · Right to Health
Record ID
CNHRA-E-454208
Summary
Huang was detained in Chengdu in June 2008 after investigating collapsed schools, tried in a closed hearing in August 2009 and sentenced to three years that November. HRW criticized state-secrets law and trial procedure.[1]
Description
Following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, Huang investigated collapsed schools and construction quality. He was detained in Chengdu on June 10 and formally accused of a state-secrets possession offense on July 18.[1]
A closed trial in Chengdu on August 5, 2009, was followed by a three-year sentence on November 23. HRW noted that the alleged secrets and evidence were not publicly disclosed and relayed family concerns about deteriorating health.[1]
Developments
Detained after Sichuan earthquake inquiries
HRW reports Huang’s detention in Chengdu in a case connected to his investigation of collapsed schools after the earthquake.[1]
State-secrets accusation formally reported
HRW records a formal state-secrets possession accusation on July 18 following earthquake-school investigations.[1]
Reported closed trial
HRW records a closed hearing in Chengdu in the state-secrets case.[1]
Three-year sentence in earlier case
HRW reports a Chengdu state-secrets-possession sentence following earthquake-school investigations, distinct from the 2019 case.[1]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
No documents have been added to this record yet.
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-532776Human Rights Watch
Evidence location: Opening paragraphs: Chengdu sentence on 23 November 2009 and earthquake-school investigations.