CHINA FREES JOURNALIST IMPRISONED SINCE TIANENMAN PROTESTS
LET GO AFTER 17 YEARS' DETENTION, YU DONGYUE SAID TO BE INSANE FROM RESULTS OF SUSTAINED TORTURE
24 February 2006

Journalist Yu Dongyue has been imprisoned by Chinese authorities since the Tianenman Square pro-democracy protests of 1989. He was initially sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly throwing eggs filled with red paint at a portrait of Mao Zedong displayed at the entrance to the Forbidden City. After two reductions in his sentence, he is now being released to his family.

Human rights groups have lobbied for years on Yu's behalf, both for the excessive sentence placed on him and for the fact that his detention appeared to be politically motivated. Reporters Sans Frontières reports he has suffered severe torture while in Chinese custody and is now thought to be insane.

His brother, Yu Xiyue, says Dongyue no longer recognizes him, despite having visited with him in prison. Though he is expected to be returned to his family this week, relatives have expressed concern for his mental health and for his long-term wellbeing and ability to function in society.

The International Herald Tribute writes "He will not have any political rights and will be forbidden from working at a university or any state-owned enterprise. He is also forbidden from speaking to the news media", and goes on to cite human rights campaigners who say he will never be free from state persecution.

One of the two friends arrested with Yu in 1989, Lu Decheng, is cited by IHT saying to Radio Free Asia Yu was "barely recognizable" and that "A fellow prisoner said Yu had been tied to a electricity pole and left out in the hot sun for several days. He was also kept in solitary confinement for two years and that was what broke him."

Lu is awaiting approval for resettlement in Canada, while the third friend detained with Yu, Yu Zhijian, has reportedly been arrested this month by Chinese authorities "in connection with a hunger strike".

• IHT: "China frees journalist jailed after Tianenman"