Mainland dissident Huang Qi, who helped families whose children died during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, vowed to continue his rights activism after his release from jail yesterday, despite official threats.
Huang, 48, was taken to his mother's home in Neijiang, Sichuan, yesterday afternoon after spending three years in jail for 'illegal possession of state secrets'.
He was jailed after he campaigned on behalf of parents who wanted to sue authorities following the deadly earthquake. Supporters said his jailing was the government's retaliation for his investigation into the collapse of school buildings, believed by many to be shoddily built as a result of corruption.
Before he was freed yesterday, police and prison authorities warned him against 'getting into the business of dubious people', he said. 'You will be put back to prison otherwise,' he cited officials as saying.
Huang's wife had feared he could be placed under house arrest after his release. Huang said he had been told to report to police today and would learn more about any restrictions.
Other prominent government critics such as rights lawyer Zheng Enchong and blind anti-abortion activist Chen Guangcheng have been confined to their homes and held incommunicado straight after their release. Telephone calls to Neijiang Public Security Bureau were not answered yesterday.
