CHINESE authorities have hinted that Bao Tong, a political reformer who once served as an aide to ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, could be eligible for release from jail on medical grounds, according to John Kamm, a human rights campaigner basedin Hong Kong.
Mr Kamm, who met senior officials from the judiciary and other departments this week, said the authorities now acknowledged that Bao, who has served nearly five years of a seven-year sentence, was ill, though they insist his life is not threatened.
Formerly, officials did not admit that Bao, 60, was sick, despite reports that his health had suffered after his arrest on May 28, 1989.
By conceding that Bao is ill, the authorities are opening the possibility of an early release from jail on medical grounds.
The officials said Bao was being given special nourishment and medical treatment, but there was no suggestion that Bao's condition was stabilising under the care of the prison doctor.
The authorities made their remarks in the context of a discussion on the possibility of prisoners being released on medical parole. When asked point-blank whether Bao would be released, the officials refused to answer directly.
''What I'm hoping is that if we can highlight the fact they acknowledge he's sick, we can perhaps increase the pressure for some sort of parole,'' Mr Kamm said. ''They're telling us they're considering releasing people, and that Bao Tong is ill. They say he's getting special treatment. They are not saying that he has stabilised. If anyone is qualified for parole, he is qualified,'' he said.
