[People News] Dissident Cheng Xiaofeng from Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, was sentenced last December to three years and six months in prison by a local court. Although the court read the verdict in court, it did not deliver the written judgment to his father.

According to Cheng Xiaofeng’s friend Guo Min, who spoke to Radio Free Asia, Cheng’s trial took place in a Zhuzhou court in November last year, and he was sentenced in December to three years and six months in prison. The verdict was announced in court. Guo said the authorities have tightly blocked information, and even now Cheng’s father does not know the exact charges against his son.

“After Cheng Xiaofeng was sentenced, the judgment document—so far as I know—was never given to his father,” Guo said. “As for the exact charge under which he was sentenced to three and a half years, that is still not very clear.”

Radio Free Asia previously reported that on July 6, 2024, Cheng Xiaofeng was criminally detained by the Hetang District Branch of the Zhuzhou Public Security Bureau on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.” This occurred just before the CCP’s Third Plenum of the 20th Central Committee. On August 9 he was formally arrested by prosecutors and has since been held at the Zhuzhou Detention Center.

At that time, Guizhou lawyer Li Guisheng attempted to visit him to learn more about the case. Cheng’s father refused to sign the arrest notice, and authorities then declined to provide the notice to him. People closely following the case believe Cheng Xiaofeng was most likely sentenced under the same charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

As for why the court refused to provide Cheng’s father with the written verdict, Guo Min said:
“Neither the police nor the court have handed the judgment document to Cheng Xiaofeng’s family. My guess is they are worried that the document might circulate overseas. They may fear the issue would continue to generate attention and further impact.”

Lawyer: Family Members Can File Complaints

A lawyer surnamed Zhao in Hunan told Radio Free Asia that under criminal procedure rules, the written judgment must be legally delivered to the defendant and his defense lawyer. If this procedure is not followed, it constitutes a procedural defect. Family members may file complaints with the court or with relevant authorities.

According to information circulating among Zhuzhou civic groups, Cheng Xiaofeng often helped vulnerable people and families of imprisoned dissidents, including those connected with activist Xu Lin. His activities reportedly angered police and eventually led to retaliation.

Information from the Weiquanwang Information Center at the time said Cheng’s arrest was directly related to his trip to Shuangfeng in Loudi to pay tribute to dissident Ouyang Jinghua and his participation in online commemorations for Hu Youping in Suzhou. His arrest appeared to be a “settling of accounts” by Zhuzhou authorities for Cheng Xiaofeng’s years of pro-democracy activism and speech.

One of Cheng’s friends, who spoke to Radio Free Asia anonymously for security reasons, said Cheng was very likely sentenced under the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

“If authorities tried to charge him with inciting subversion of state power, it would be difficult to find concrete evidence,” the friend said. “He usually made comments criticizing current affairs. Before he was detained he had a young son, who is now being cared for by his grandfather. The child is really pitiful.”

Former Police Officer Who Exposed Corruption

Cheng Xiaofeng, whose online alias is “David,” once worked as a criminal police officer in the Zhuzhou Public Security Bureau. After exposing corruption within the police force, he reportedly faced retaliation, later resigning and becoming involved in civic activism.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cheng publicly questioned the authorities’ nucleic acid testing policies and vaccines, which brought him threats and warnings. Later, comments he posted in WeChat groups were labeled by authorities as “improper speech,” leading to his arrest by Zhuzhou authorities.

On August 15, 2023, nearly 50 citizens from Zhuzhou, Changsha, Xiangtan, and Hengyang planned to visit the Nanyue Martyrs’ Shrine to commemorate soldiers who died in the war against Japan. But days before the event, all participants were detained or warned by local police, and the activity was forced to cancel.

On July 6, 2024, police searched Cheng Xiaofeng’s home and the teahouse he operated. He was detained on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and remained in custody until his sentencing.

A reporter attempted to contact Cheng Xiaofeng’s defense lawyer Li Guisheng, but the calls went unanswered. At present, Cheng Xiaofeng’s exact situation remains unknown.

(Adapted from Radio Free Asia) △