Wang Bingzhang

Detained Since: June 27, 2002.

Charges: Offenses of espionage and the conduct of terrorism.

Sentence: Life in prison.

Biography: Wang Bingzhang is a permanent resident of the United States and founded many pro-democracy organizations. In January 1998, Wang snuck into mainland China to promote democracy, but was arrested two weeks later and expelled. In June 2002, Wang went to Vietnam where he and two others were abducted by Chinese secret police. After six months of secret custody, the Chinese government announced his arrest, and he was subsequently sentenced to life in prison on charges of espionage and terrorism.

Updates: 

• Recently released documentary, Inside These Walls, captures the fight of Wang Bingzhang's family for his release (April, 6, 2017, CBC News).
• Veteran democracy activist Wang Bingzhang warned his daughter, who visited him on Christmas Day, that his life is in danger in prison (December 31, 2018, Radio Free Asia).
• Chinese authorities blocked Ti-Anna Wang, a daughter of Wang Bingzhang, from entering the country to visit her imprisoned father, keeping her under close surveillance in the Hangzhou airport until she was booked on a flight to South Korea (January 9, 2018, The Globe and Mail).
• Canadian family and friends of Wang Bingzhang are seeking international support to nominate the activist for the Nobel Peace Prize in an effort to ensure his safety in prison (April 11, 2019, The Globe and Mail).
• Wang Bingzhang's sister, Wang Yuhua, who resides in Canada, stated that their family would restart China Spring, the pro-democracy magazine founded by Wang Bingzhang and published from 1982 to 2004 (December 16, 2022, Radio Free Asia).