Associated Press

Beijing, March 19:

Authorities filed subversion charges today against a Chinese dissident who was detained for trying to attend memorial services for ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, a friend said. Zhang Lin was detained on January 29 in his hometown after returning from Beijing, where he was barred from visiting Zhao’s home, according to his family. Zhang spent eight years in prison for pro-democracy activities before being released in 2001. Zhang was charged today with “conspiring to subvert state power” by authorities in his hometown of Bengbu, according to Ren Wanding, a veteran political activist and a friend. Ren said he had no details of what Zhang was accused of having done. Police in Bengbu contacted by phone said they had no information on Zhang. Employees of the detention centre where Ren said he was held denied he was there. Phone calls to the Bengbu prosecutor’s office weren’t answered.

Police earlier confirmed Zhang was detained but refused to release details. Police were waiting for Zhang at the train station when he returned to Bengbu, his wife, Fang Cao, said last month. According to Fang, police said he was detained for “endangering state security” but didn’t give other details. Fang said her husband “was deeply touched by Zhao’s actions and admired him very much.” China frequently files subversion charges against detained political activists. A conviction can carry a penalty of up to life in prison. Such a long sentence is rarely imposed, but some have been jailed for up to 13 years.

Chinese regulations say detentions without charge should be limited to a few weeks in most cases, though police can ask for extensions. Zhao, who died on January 17 at 85, was forced from power in 1989 after sympathising with pro-democracy protesters who occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Authorities barred dissidents from attending his funeral services to prevent expressions of discontent. Zhao spent the last 15 years of his life under house arrest. He was last seen in public on May 19, 1989, when he made a tearful visit to Tiananmen Square to talk to student hunger strikers.