Chinese human rights activist Ji Xiaolong was arrested two years ago for opposing the lockdown in Shanghai. He publicly wrote a letter to the then Shanghai Communist Party Secretary and current Premier Li Keqiang, urging for accountability of senior officials. Ji Xiaolong refused to accept the initial verdict of inciting trouble and was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison. After appealing, the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court recently upheld the verdict of the first trial.
On April 17, the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court issued a verdict on the second trial of human rights activist Ji Xiaolong, maintaining the original sentence of 4 and a half years.
In late March 2022, Shanghai was under lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The lockdown lasted for over two months, leading to skyrocketing prices, food shortages, lack of medical care for patients, poor conditions in makeshift hospitals, and various other chaotic situations that sparked public grievances. Foreign-funded businesses in Shanghai also suffered significant economic losses due to the strict control measures.
In April 2022, Ji Xiaolong posted on social media calling for a change in the epidemic prevention measures, relief efforts, and aid for the people of Shanghai. His message gained widespread attention. On April 30th, Ji Xiaolong was taken away by the police and later released on bail. On May 29th, Ji Xiaolong was once again taken away from his home by the police for his comments on Twitter.
In August 2022, Ji Xiaolong openly wrote to Li Keqiang, then Shanghai Communist Party Secretary and current Premier, urging for accountability over the excessive epidemic prevention policies in Shanghai. On the afternoon of August 31st, he was taken away by the police and in September, he was criminally detained on charges of “inciting trouble.”
On October 27, 2023, Ji Xiaolong was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for “inciting trouble,” with the sentence lasting until February 28, 2027. He decided to appeal the verdict.
Authorities also accused Ji Xiaolong of spreading false information damaging the country’s image.
Senior media figure Su Yutong questioned on April 18 whether Ji Xiaolong’s information was false, criticizing the actions of public officials and the judiciary.
Online user JackWu2020 commented that Ji Xiaolong’s second trial upheld the original verdict. He praised Ji Xiaolong for his actions two years ago to prevent China from descending into chaos and urged support for him and others standing up for their beliefs.
This is the second time Ji Xiaolong has been convicted of “inciting trouble.” In July 2018, he initiated a human rights campaign called the “Toilet Revolution,” where he wrote slogans like “Overthrow the Communist Party” on public restroom doors in response to the Chinese vaccine scandal, which stirred public anger. He was sentenced to 3 and a half years for “inciting trouble” and was released in February 2022 after serving his full term.
According to Voice of America, on March 21 of this year, Ji Xiaolong’s second trial was held in secret, with only his father allowed to attend. Family members had already anticipated the outcome, with little hope for a different verdict.