Human Rights in China has learned from Shanghai petitioner Gong Haoming’s wife, Li Ping, that Gong has been released on the guarantee of Li Ping pending trial for one year. Gong, who helped to organize an open letter entitled, “We Want Human Rights, Not the Olympics” in May 2007, was reportedly released on December 8, after obtaining Li Ping’s guarantee by the Huangpu Sub-bureau of Shanghai Public Security Bureau. His release was reportedly due the fact that there is currently insufficient evidence to arrest him on the charge of “leaking state secrets.” During this period, investigation on Gong’s case will continue. Gong was detained and his home ransacked on November 8, 2007.

According to Article 56 of the Criminal Procedure Law, suspects released upon obtaining a guarantor pending trial or on bail cannot leave the city in which they reside during the bail period without permission of the executing organ. This effectively bars Gong from petitioning outside of Shanghai in the run-up to and during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

An active petitioner, Gong was previously sentenced to two years and six months of Reeducation-Through-Labor for "disturbing social order" in December 2003.

For more information on Gong Haoming, see:

“Shanghai Petitioner Gong Haoming Detained Under Suspicion of Leaking State Secrets,” November 12, 2007, http://www.hrichina.org/public/contents/45512.