Prison recommended for Chinese citizen journalist for coronavirus reports from Wuhan
- Zhang Zhan has been in police custody since May after she live-streamed from outbreak epicentre and criticised official response
- Trial could begin as early as next month for ex-lawyer who faces four to five years imprisonment
Zhang, 37, was arrested in mid-May by Shanghai police for allegedly “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, a catch-all charge often used by authorities to muzzle dissent.
Shanghai Pudong district prosecutors have recommended the maximum penalty for Zhang, citing previous offences in 2018 and 2019, according to official documents seen by the South China Morning Post.
“She is now being accused of fabricating malicious and false information about the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan and accepting interviews with overseas media,” a source said.
Zhang, whose trial could start as early as next month, has maintained her innocence and insisted she should be released unconditionally, according to sources, who declined to be identified because of fears of retribution. “Her family and friends are gravely concerned that she will receive a heavy sentence because of her defiance,” one source said.