Farmers arrested for petitioning authorities over official corruption linked to the Three Gorges dam project may face harsh prison terms when they go on trial next week, according to international organisations appealing on their behalf.
Human Rights Watch and Probe International called on diplomats in Beijing and international banks involved in financing the dam to urge the Chinese Government to release the men and conduct a full, impartial and transparent investigation into their corruption allegations.
The four farmers - He Kechang, Ran Chongxin, Jiang Qingshan and Wen Dingchun - were arrested for detailing systematic embezzlement of resettlement funds for the huge project, the organisations said.
The two groups said the four would be tried on charges of disrupting public order, leaking state secrets and maintaining illicit relations with a foreign country, apparently referring to interviews with foreign reporters.
The groups also said copies of interviews He gave to the South China Morning Post and a letter to the newspaper were found when police searched his house.
The four elderly men, all from Gaoyang township in Yunyang county, were arrested last month after repeatedly visiting Beijing with petitions.
They asked authorities to investigate officials suspected of