China sentences former lawyer who reported on COVID-19 outbreak to 4 years
Zhang Zhan was arrested in May amid heavy censorship to deflect criticism of the government’s initial response to the outbreak.
Author: Associated Press
Updated: 10:05 AM EST December 28, 2020
BEIJING, China — A Chinese court on Monday sentenced a former lawyer who reported on the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak to four years in prison on charges of “picking fights and provoking trouble," one of her lawyers said.
The Pudong New Area People’s Court in the financial hub of Shanghai gave the sentence to Zhang Zhan following accusations she spread false information, gave interviews to foreign media, disrupted public order and “maliciously manipulated” the outbreak.