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Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, who reported from Wuhan during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to be released after four years of imprisonment.
Zhang Zhan documented the Chinese government’s actions in Wuhan in February 2020 to control the spread of the virus. She faced censorship on various social media platforms for criticizing the government’s pandemic response.
Accused of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” Zhang Zhan was sentenced to four years in prison in May 2020. International human rights groups have called for her release.
Despite being on a hunger strike while in prison, Zhang Zhan continued to advocate for the truth about the pandemic’s impact. She is scheduled for release on May 13, with concerns for her well-being and freedom raised by Amnesty International.
Additional reporting with agencies