Public pressure from Hong Kong played a crucial role in yesterday's dramatic twist in the case of jailed melamine milk activist Zhao Lianhai , who will probably be released on medical parole, his supporters say.
It is unprecedented for Beijing to release a mainland convict so soon following lobbying from Hong Kong. In an unusual move, Xinhua's Hong Kong branch said yesterday morning that a medical parole application from Zhao was being processed.
Zhao, it added, had accepted the court verdict and not appealed. Just two weeks ago, upon hearing the sentence, Zhao was so furious that he took off his prison uniform and slammed it on the judge's desk.
Medical parole is applicable to convicts who have served a third of their term. Since Zhao has been detained for a year, he could be released at any time. On Sunday, Xinhua's Hong Kong branch released another report that defended Zhao's controversial jailing on November 10, saying it was specifically addressing 'concerns in Hong Kong'.
Beijing's Daxing District People's Court jailed Zhao for 2? years for 'provoking quarrels and making trouble' by campaigning for the rights of victims of the melamine scandal, which made 300,000 children ill two years ago.
Hong Kong politicians from across the spectrum, including pro-Beijing lawmakers and National People's Congress deputies, united in calling for Zhao's release.