Imprisoned Labor Leader Li Wangyang Eligible for Parole on May 6, 2006

May 3, 2006

Imprisoned labor leader Li Wangyang becomes eligible for parole on May 6, after having served half of a 10-year sentence for "incitement to subvert state power," a crime under Article 105 of the Criminal Law. Li was tried on May 6, 2001 and sentenced on September 20, 2001, according to the China Labour Bulletin.

Imprisoned labor leader Li Wangyang becomes eligible for parole on May 6, after having served half of a 10-year sentence for "incitement to subvert state power," a crime under Article 105 of the Criminal Law. Li was tried on May 6, 2001 and sentenced on September 20, 2001, according to the China Labour Bulletin.

A former factory worker in Hunan province, Li established and chaired the Shaoyang Workers' Autonomous Federation in Shaoyang city, Hunan province, in May 1989. At the time, he was arrested, charged with counterrevolutionary propaganda and incitement, and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Released in July 1996 on medical parole, Li was imprisoned again in early 1997. After an early release in June 2000, Li began a hunger strike to obtain compensation for being mistreated in prison. He alleged that prison officials beat and underfed him, resulting in lung, heart, respiratory, and eye injuries. Li was arrested again in his hospital bed on May 6, 2001, during his hunger strike, and charged under Article 105, according to Prima News. In addition to Li’s own travails, a sister, Li Wangling, was sentenced to three years of reeducation through labor for helping to publicize her brother’s demands.

Under Article 81 of the Criminal Law, officials have discretion to grant parole to a prisoner after he or she has served half of a fixed term of imprisonment. A prisoner has a strong case for parole if he or she has observed prison regulations, accepted education and reform through labor, showed repentance, and will no longer cause harm to society. Under Article 44 of the Criminal Law, this term is calculated from the date of detention if the prisoner has been held in detention before the court judgment takes effect. As a result, Li becomes eligible for parole on May 6, 2006.