CNHRA — China Human Rights Archive
|
← Back to Events Archive

CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-488941

Program-Think blogger Ruan Xiaohuan: sentence and appeal

编程随想阮晓寰案：七年判刑及二审

Date

2021-05-10

Location

Shanghai

Event Type

Detention · Trial · Sentencing

Human Rights Issues

Freedom of Expression · Right to a Fair Trial

Record ID

CNHRA-E-488941

Summary

Police took Ruan from his Shanghai home on May 10, 2021 and seized computers and a phone. Citing his family and court materials, CPJ reports prolonged restrictions on family contact and access to independently retained counsel, with appointed lawyers handling the case.[1][2]

Description

Police took Ruan from his Shanghai home on May 10, 2021 and seized computers and a phone. Citing his family and court materials, CPJ reports prolonged restrictions on family contact and access to independently retained counsel, with appointed lawyers handling the case.[1][2]

Ruan was sentenced on February 10, 2023 to seven years for inciting subversion, two years’ deprivation of political rights and confiscation of 20,000 yuan. The case gained wider attention after Bei contacted lawyers in March. On December 13, 2024, the Shanghai High People’s Court rejected his appeal and upheld the judgment.[1][2][3]

A publicly circulated photograph of judgment page 4 records the court treating Ruan’s political blog posts as incitement to subvert state power, citing their number and alleged harmful impact. It also records acceptance of defense submissions for leniency. The page sets out the seven-year term, additional penalties and confiscation of computers and other items.[3]

Developments

Taken from his Shanghai home

Police took Ruan away and seized computers and a phone. Relatives sought information and tried to retain lawyers; CPJ describes restrictions on visits and defense access.[1][2]

Seven-year first-instance sentence

The court imposed seven years for inciting subversion, two years’ deprivation of political rights and confiscation of 20,000 yuan. His wife saw him at sentencing and later explained the case to lawyers and the media.[1][2][3]

Wife contacts lawyers

Bei contacted lawyers including Shang Baojun and Mo Shaoping to seek help concerning the judgment. CPJ subsequently reported the case using family accounts and court materials.[2]

Sentence upheld on appeal

The Shanghai High People’s Court rejected Ruan’s appeal. CPJ describes a brief proceeding that left the seven-year term and additional penalties in place.[1]

Related People

Ruan Xiaohuan

阮晓寰

CNHRA-P-015494

View Person Record →

Organizations

No organizations have been added.

Documents

No documents have been added to this record yet.

Sources

  1. [1]
    Ruan Xiaohuan case profile and appeal

    CNHRA-S-890004Committee to Protect Journalists

    Evidence location: Program-Think writing; May 10, 2021 detention, February 10, 2023 judgment and December 13, 2024 appeal.

  2. [2]
    Chinese blogger Ruan Xiaohuan sentenced to seven years

    CNHRA-S-948989Committee to Protect Journalists

    Evidence location: CPJ court-document review and interviews with Bei Zhenying and Shang Baojun; sentencing, family contact and March disclosure.

  3. [3]
    Photograph of page 4 of Ruan Xiaohuan’s criminal judgment (public reproduction)

    CNHRA-S-789440Wikimedia Commons; photograph circulated by Yutong Su

    Evidence location: Lower half: court reasoning and operative orders 1–2; page footer 4.

Record ID: CNHRA-E-488941