Zhao Yan
Zhao Yan is a Chinese journalist with The New York Times Beijing bureau. He was imprisoned by the Chinese government in 2004 on charges of fraud and revealing state secrets. According to reports from Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders, Zhao was imprisoned without a fair trial. Zhao was released in September 2007.
Fast Facts
- Researcher for The New York Times
- Investigative journalist for China Reform
- Closed-door trial began June 17, 2006
- Sentenced: August 24, 2006
- Imprisoned: September 17, 2004
- Released: September 15, 2007
Zhao's Arrest
Zhao was charged with revealing state secrets after a published Times report correctly predicted the retirement of Jiang Zemin as president and Communist Party chief. He was also accused of fraud for taking money from a village official. Several human rights organizations believe that Zhao was being unfairly persecuted for his earlier work as an investigative journalist with China Reform magazine.
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