On September 19th, the trial of mainland Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan on the charge of “provoking trouble” took place at the Pudong New District Court in Shanghai amidst a heavy police presence to maintain order. Citizens were prevented from attending the trial as the police blocked many of them from leaving their homes.
Zhang Zhan was arrested by the public security authorities in Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province on August 28, 2024, and charged with “provoking trouble.” Zhang Zhan denied the accusations brought against her by the Pudong New District Procuratorate. The trial was delayed for over a year, marking the second illegal trial Zhang has faced in five years. The indictment stated that from June to August 2024, Zhang Zhan spread a large amount of insulting and false information damaging the country’s image on foreign websites, leading to severe disruption of public order.
People voiced their concerns, stating that criticizing the country does not equate to harming the nation. They view the lack of justice in the prosecution as reminiscent of the dark path of the Cultural Revolution.
Retired Shanghai University professor and rights activist Gu Guoping expressed to reporters that Shanghai authorities had launched a massive operation to maintain order in the city. Anyone known to be attending Zhang Zhan’s trial was either kept under control in their residences or sent to guesthouses. Two Shanghai activists were even taken on a trip a few days before the trial to prevent them from participating.
Gu Guoping further criticized the authorities for deliberately creating a scenario where nobody attended Zhang Zhan’s trial, using deceptive tactics to mislead the international community and media. Such behavior was deemed perplexing and deceitful.
On September 18th at noon, Gu Guoping and activist Liang Xiuying planned to visit rights activist Song Jiahong to discuss Zhang Zhan’s case. However, Song was harassed by plainclothes officers upon arriving at the Yangzhong Road station in Pudong New District, leading to him missing the trial.
Song Jiahong recounted his encounter with entrapment, mentioning a young man who staged a collision with him upon exiting the subway station, demanding compensation for a supposedly damaged phone. Song was then taken to the Yushan police station in Songjiang District to be recorded, missing the trial until 1:40 pm.
While Liang Xiuying made it to the Pudong New District Court, she noticed a lack of attendees outside, with only police cars and officers visible. On her way back, she met two other early arrivals who informed her that attendees heading to the court were being detained and taken to a relief station at 500 Fucun Road by police.
Throughout the night of September 18th, six police officers stood outside the residence of activist Wang Huifang in Jing’an District, along with two security guards near police cars until they left around 3 pm on the 19th.
Wang Huifang’s son managed to leave the house in the morning, secretly taking several photos at the court. However, he was later apprehended by the police on his way back and held at the Yangzhong Road police station before being returned by the Shimen Erlu police station in Jing’an District.
In anticipation of attending Zhang Zhan’s trial, activist Hu Jianguo arrived early on September 18th at the home of activist Yang Yonglan in Pudong New District, planning to go to the trial together on the 19th. However, police arrived at Yang Yonglan’s home in the evening, stationed outside. When Hu Jianguo and Yang Yonglan attempted to leave on the 19th, they found themselves obstructed by police at the door. The police continued to knock on the door persistently until after 3 pm.
Activist Zhang Yaqing in Pudong New District was also confined to her home. She reported that in the early morning of the 19th, when she tried to go out to buy cigarettes, she was blocked by a police officer and two security guards at her door. She was then taken to the Pudong Dujiang police station to be recorded without being provided lunch even past noon.
Gu Guoping further revealed that activist Yu Zhonghuan had gone missing since the night of September 18th when news of Zhang Zhan’s trial surfaced. His phone was unreachable, and no messages were received from him.
On the day of Zhang Zhan’s trial, many activists received calls for interviews claiming to resolve their petition issues. Gu Guoping described the situation as bizarre, using one sensitive event to divert attention from another sensitive issue, as seen in the case of Zhang Zhan.
He noted that in chat groups, many intended to attend the trial but were called by police stations, streets, courts, or authorities to be interviewed at 9 am on the 19th in the name of resolving their petition grievances—resulting in over ten individuals being dissuaded from attending.
He emphasized, “When people wanted to attend, they were summoned to resolve their issues. It is deceptive! They claim to solve issues only when sensitive events occur, attempting to mislead!”
He concluded by highlighting the police’s excessive and intimidating attempts to maintain order using taxpayers’ money, which he deemed terrifying and inhumane. He urged the international media to focus on the Communist Party’s anti-human, anti-social, and anti-people behaviors.
Song Jiahong remarked that although he did not attend Zhang Zhan’s trial or see the verdict, judging from the indictment mentioning “messages from abroad,” it appeared to be a typical unjust case with little deviation from wrongful convictions. The accusation of “provoking trouble” against Zhang Zhan was merely an excuse to harass her. Criticizing the country does not equate to harming it, and the unjust prosecution seemed to be following old unjust practices reminiscent of the Cultural Revolution.