Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei was sentenced to 11 months in prison for representing the “12 Hong Kongers case” and other sensitive cases identified by the Chinese Communist Party as such. Lu Siwei, who is suffering from thyroid cancer and psoriasis, saw his health deteriorate continuously. He has appealed the verdict, and the case is currently in the process of second instance in the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court.
Lu Siwei’s wife, Zhang Chunxiao, currently resides in the United States. She recently revealed to a media outlet that on May 13, the lawyer met with Lu Siwei, and the appeal process has advanced to the Chengdu Intermediate People’s Court. On May 14, Zhang Chunxiao posted the full verdict and Lu Siwei’s statement on a platform. Lu Siwei believes that the authorities’ ruling this time is another form of persecution following the revocation of his lawyer’s license, marking yet another attack on human rights lawyers.
The appeal presented by Lu Siwei primarily includes four reasons for contesting the verdict. First, Sichuan Public Security’s illegal border control against him led to his risky departure from the country. Lu Siwei holds the right to self-rescue, and such rescue actions should not be treated as “illegal.”
Second, during the first instance court hearing, several Chengdu “political police” attended without notifying the defense, failing to investigate the daily illegal surveillance, harassment, and interception of Lu Siwei. This lack of examination serves as a primary issue in the case.
Third, the first instance court concluded that the alleged “collusion” between Lu Siwei and Fu was unfounded. Evidence in the first-instance judgment concerning media coverage falsely distorted Lu Siwei’s family’s request for help after being blocked in Laos. This misrepresentation significantly deviates from the truth. The content attributed to “Pastor Fu” in the eleventh item of evidence, claiming to arrange for Lu Siwei to leave China once outside its borders, also lacks factual accuracy and distorts the original record.
Fourth, the handling officers of this case knowingly recognized Lu Siwei’s innocence but fabricated investigation, prosecution, and conviction against him, resulting in a severe sentence. Lu Siwei has filed charges against these officers, accusing them of miscarriage of justice.
Zhang Chunxiao expressed, “I share this information in the hope that through your dissemination, more people will become aware.”
Following Lu Siwei’s unlawful detention, Zhang Chunxiao received only one letter despite numerous requests from the detention center to send out mail. On April 9, she received a letter written by Lu Siwei in February, evoking mixed emotions. She revealed, “I was certainly happy to see his handwriting, but the content of the letter was saddening and disheartening.”
Lu Siwei’s health has deteriorated, contracting eczema, scabies, and more, causing great concern for Zhang Chunxiao. She mentioned that Lu Siwei previously underwent thyroid surgery, with doctors emphasizing the lifelong medication and semi-annual check-ups. However, he has missed two scheduled check-ups.
Severe psoriasis afflicts Lu Siwei, causing intense itching and pain, managed with imported medication. Unfortunately, the detention center refuses the imported medication, worsening his skin condition.
Zhang Chunxiao stated, “I bought a lot of medicine and tried to send them through friends, but the detention center rejected them, providing only domestically produced medicine. The ineffectiveness of these medications is apparent.”
Lu Siwei fled China in early July 2023, arrested in Laos on July 28, then repatriated to China in September and detained at the Chengdu Xindu detention center. He was released on bail on October 28 and rearrested on October 10, receiving an 11-month sentence until August 5, 2025.
Lu Siwei’s friend, Fang Yiwei (pseudonym), expressed that the lawyer had visibly faced retaliatory actions. Representing the “12 Hong Kongers case,” Lu Siwei’s suspension of his license was a more likely outcome than imprisonment. Still, authorities continued targeted monitoring and surveillance against him.
Fang Yiwei asserted, “Whether legally or in terms of so-called threats, Lu Siwei’s escape from China was fundamentally non-criminal. The Chinese Communist Party expended significant resources to extradite him, fabricating charges under various pretexts.”
He emphasized, “Depriving him of targeted treatment inflicts severe psychological and physical trauma or abuse, akin to torture, leading to immense suffering inside the facility.”