CNHRA PERSON RECORD · CNHRA-P-480043
Shi Tao
Born
Unknown
Occupation
Unknown
Role
Public Commentator
Record ID
CNHRA-P-480043
Biography
Shi Tao is a journalist and poet prosecuted after emailing information about media controls.[1]
In April 2004 Shi used Yahoo email to summarize instructions to downplay the fifteenth anniversary of June Fourth for an overseas website.[1]
Amnesty’s account of the judgment identifies Yahoo account information as evidence and the company’s response invoking compliance with local law.[1]
After release, Shi told Amnesty that his life was returning to normal and thanked those who had supported him and his mother. In the message published by Amnesty, he said encouragement from friends around the world had helped them through difficult, lonely years. The same case account describes questioning and surveillance of relatives following his imprisonment.[1]
Case Summary
Amnesty records arrest in November 2004, ten years’ imprisonment in April 2005 and two years’ deprivation of political rights, alongside reports of family pressure, prison labor and health concerns.[1]
Shi was released on August 23, 2013 and subsequently thanked Amnesty supporters for assistance to him and his mother.[1][2]
Timeline
2004
Detained
2005
Sentenced to ten years
Related Events
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-292450Amnesty International USA
Evidence location: Profile: emailed censorship information, Yahoo data, ten-year term and August 23, 2013 release; Shi’s post-release message of thanks and the account of questioning and surveillance of his relatives.
- [2]
CNHRA-S-541469Committee to Protect Journalists
Evidence location: September 9, 2013 release-report entry: release on August 23, distinct from publication date.