CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-331104
Li Qiaochu: Detention from 2020, Conviction, Appeal and Return Home
Date
2020-02-16
Location
Beijing and Linyi, Shandong, China
Event Type
Detention · Arrest · Trial · Sentencing · Release
Human Rights Issues
Women's Rights · Labor Rights · Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial · Right to Health
Record ID
CNHRA-E-331104
Summary
Description
Taken again on February 6, 2021, Li was formally arrested on March 14. The case went through prosecutorial review and supplementary investigation, followed by indictment on February 28, 2022. Front Line Defenders reported that the accusation concerned her assistance with Xu Zhiyong’s blog.[1]
Hearings in June and December 2023 involved defense objections concerning evidence, recusal and representation. In February 2024 she received three years and eight months and two years’ deprivation of political rights; Amnesty dates sentencing to February 5 and Front Line Defenders to February 4. The appeal was rejected on July 26, and she returned home on August 3.[2][1]
Li’s published account dates her first detention from February 16 to June 19, 2020. She describes continuous lighting, prolonged enforced sitting and questioning. The English translation appeared in January 2021, before her renewed detention that February.[3]
Developments
Detained under RSDL
Li was taken from a Beijing residence and placed under RSDL; she later published an account of the detention.[2]
Returns home after first secret detention
Li returned to her parents’ home after her first secret detention. Her later account describes comparing their experiences during the period without contact.[3]
English translation of detention account published
China Change published the translation; its byline is dated January 11.[3]
Taken into custody again
Front Line Defenders records her disappearance from contact and transfer to Linyi after she publicly described alleged abuse of Xu Zhiyong.[1]
Lawyer requests a visit
Front Line Defenders records a request for access and advice that Li is in quarantine at a local hospital.[1]
Formally arrested
Front Line Defenders records prosecutorial approval of formal arrest on an inciting-subversion accusation.[1]
Prosecutors confirm case received for review
Linyi prosecutors confirm receipt of the case from police for prosecutorial review.[1]
Returned for supplementary investigation
Linyi prosecutors return the case to police for supplementary investigation.[1]
Indicted
Front Line Defenders reports an indictment for inciting subversion by Linyi prosecutors.[1]
New lawyer obtains a visit
A newly retained lawyer meets Li in Linyi and requests regular, adequate medical care.[1]
Trial begins
A closed hearing begins at Linyi Intermediate Court; Front Line Defenders reports objections concerning security checks, evidence and recusal, followed by suspension of proceedings.[1]
Further hearing
Front Line Defenders records a hearing at the Economic and Technological Development District Court in Linyi without a verdict that day; her father and one lawyer are denied access.[1]
Sentenced to three years and eight months
Appeal rejected
Front Line Defenders’ follow-up records confirmation of the judgment and sentence on appeal.[1]
Returns home on sentence completion
Front Line Defenders records Li’s return from Linyi to her Beijing home after completing three years and eight months.[1]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
No documents have been added to this record yet.
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-943390Front Line Defenders
Evidence location: Follow-up describing 3 August 2024 return home and 26 July appeal, and 2021 procedural updates.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-910267Amnesty International
Evidence location: Opening paragraphs and Background on Li Qiaochu; wording of the charge differs between the opening and background sections.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-779374China Change
Evidence location: Byline January 11; opening and return-home passages describe February 16 to June 19, 2020.