CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-281430
Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan: Detention in 2023 and Subsequent Sentences
Date
2023-04-13
Location
Beijing (detention); Suzhou, Jiangsu (trial); Zhenjiang (Yu Wensheng’s imprisonment)
Event Type
Detention · Sentencing · Release
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of Expression · Right to Liberty and Security · Right to a Fair Trial
Record ID
CNHRA-E-281430
Summary
Description
After April 13, 2023 custody, both faced restricted contact. Front Line Defenders describes transfer to Suzhou, separate August 2024 trials and blocked diplomatic observation. The Suzhou intermediate court’s October sentences differed: three years for Yu and twenty-one months for Xu.[4][2]
Lawyers for Lawyers’ June 2026 update reports Xu’s January 2025 release and continuing surveillance, and long-distance family visits to Yu in Zhenjiang. Yu was released on April 13, 2026.[5][3]
Developments
Detained en route to the EU delegation
Three-year sentence in a new case
Released
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
No documents have been added to this record yet.
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-482595European External Action Service
Evidence location: Yu Wensheng passage: appeal upholding a four-year sentence on December 13, 2020.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-484886European External Action Service
Evidence location: Body: April 13, 2023 detention and 2024 sentences.
- [3]
CNHRA-S-037645European External Action Service
Evidence location: Body: same-day release on completion of sentence and concerns about restrictions.
- [4]
CNHRA-S-764615Front Line Defenders
Evidence location: Work, earlier imprisonment, 2023 detention, Suzhou trial and release on April 13, 2026.
- [5]
CNHRA-S-346842Lawyers for Lawyers
Evidence location: Yu Wensheng section: legal work, family visits, Xu Yan’s release and release on April 13, 2026.
- [6]
CNHRA-S-341814Freedom House
Evidence location: Human rights defenders in court section: Xu’s twenty-one-month term and January 13, 2025 release.