What has China done to Wuhan journalist Zhang Zhan? In 2020, Zhang was documenting the outbreak of Covid-19 in Wuhan. Her videos were exposing what China has trying to hide. Zhang was arrested, charged with spreading false information, and jailed for four years. The citizen journalist was supposed to walk out of prison on Monday, but no one is being able to verify her release.

Gravitas |  Zhang Zhan: What has China done to the Wuhan citizen journalist?

Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed over her reporting on the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was expected to be released on Monday. She spent around four years in prison.&nbsp;

The 40-year-old was in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in February 2020 to cover the growing outbreak. She was also focussed on the government's effort to contain the pandemic, which remains&nbsp;a controversial matter even today.&nbsp;

Zhang, who is a former lawyer from Shanghai, was posting first-hand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets in China. She was detained in May 2020 after weeks of reporting that included videos.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ex-us-marine-pilot-arrested-in-australia-worked-with-chinese-hacker-unknowingly-lawyer-says-721022">Ex-US Marine pilot arrested in Australia worked with Chinese hacker unknowingly, lawyer says</a>&nbsp;

According to the court documents seen by the news agency Reuters, she also went on a hunger strike in late June. Her lawyers said at the time that the hunger strike prompted police to strap her hands and force-feed her with a tube.&nbsp;

She was convicted by a Shanghai court of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" and sentenced to four years imprisonment in December 2020.&nbsp;

An indictment for Zhang's case published by human rights activists indicated she would be released on Monday, but so far, there's no update on whether or not she was released.&nbsp;

Zhang Keke, who is one of her lawyers, also told the news agency that he couldn't yet confirm whether she had been released. "Zhang Zhan's relatives and family haven't yet responded to me," he said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-china-ratchet-up-ai-arms-race-amid-growing-strategic-concerns-720970">US and China ratchet up AI arms race amid growing strategic concerns</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccines&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/astrazeneca-withdraws-covid-19-vaccines-brazil-floods-leave-150000-homeless-719190/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>What did Chinese authorities say?&nbsp;</h2>

Wang Wenbin, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters he had no "relevant information" on the matter.&nbsp;

Jane Wang, who is a UK-based advocate for Zhang Zhan's release, said Zhang's family was pressured by the authorities and warned not to engage with the media.&nbsp;

"It is totally unacceptable that the Chinese government subjects many human rights defenders and their families to this kind of cruelty. Even after their release from prison, they are still deprived of their basic rights," Wang told Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>COVID-19 pandemic&nbsp;</h2>

Coronavirus spread was declared a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020, but ever since, several claims and counterclaims have been made over its origin. Many assumed that it spread in a live animal market in China before spreading throughout the world. China has been accused of hiding information regarding the origin of the virus.&nbsp;

The outbreak became a pandemic in just a few weeks that year in March, and caused havoc on mankind, killing millions of people and leaving many more reeling with long-Covid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed over her reporting on the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was expected to be released on Monday. She spent around four years in prison.

Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan who was jailed over her reporting on the early days of the coronavirus pandemic was expected to be released on Monday. She spent around four years in prison. The 40-year-old was in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in February 2020 to cover the growing outbreak. She was also focussed on the government's effort to contain the pandemic, which remains a controversial matter even today. Zhang, who is a former lawyer from Shanghai, was posting first-hand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets in China. She was detained in May 2020 after weeks of reporting that included videos. Also read: Ex-US Marine pilot arrested in Australia worked with Chinese hacker unknowingly, lawyer says According to the court documents seen by the news agency Reuters, she also went on a hunger strike in late June. Her lawyers said at the time that the hunger strike prompted police to strap her hands and force-feed her with a tube. She was convicted by a Shanghai court of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" and sentenced to four years imprisonment in December 2020. An indictment for Zhang's case published by human rights activists indicated she would be released on Monday, but so far, there's no update on whether or not she was released. Zhang Keke, who is one of her lawyers, also told the news agency that he couldn't yet confirm whether she had been released. "Zhang Zhan's relatives and family haven't yet responded to me," he said. Also read: US and China ratchet up AI arms race amid growing strategic concerns Watch: AstraZeneca withdraws Covid-19 vaccines × What did Chinese authorities say? Wang Wenbin, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters he had no "relevant information" on the matter. Jane Wang, who is a UK-based advocate for Zhang Zhan's release, said Zhang's family was pressured by the authorities and warned not to engage with the media. "It is totally unacceptable that the Chinese government subjects many human rights defenders and their families to this kind of cruelty. Even after their release from prison, they are still deprived of their basic rights," Wang told Reuters. COVID-19 pandemic Coronavirus spread was declared a public health emergency of international concern in January 2020, but ever since, several claims and counterclaims have been made over its origin. Many assumed that it spread in a live animal market in China before spreading throughout the world. China has been accused of hiding information regarding the origin of the virus. The outbreak became a pandemic in just a few weeks that year in March, and caused havoc on mankind, killing millions of people and leaving many more reeling with long-Covid. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese Covid whistleblower due to be released after 4 years in prison

Chinese citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who exposed reality of coronavirus outbreak in China’s Wuhan is critically weak and close to death due to her ongoing hunger strike, her family has reported.<o:p></o:p>

Zhan, a 38-year-old former lawyer gained attention from Chinese authorities when she travelled to Wuhan in February 2020 to report on the pandemic centres from the epicenter of Covid, Wuhan. Through her reports, she questioned the handling of the pandemic by the Chinese authorities. <o:p></o:p>

Using her mobile phone, she recorded and shared shocking evidence of bedridden Covid patients who were lined up in hospital corridors in the beginning of the pandemic in Wuhan. She was also manhandled and intimidated by police officers and other Chinese officials who tried to stop her from recording and sharing these videos and images.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-zhang-zhan-jailed-for-covid-19-reporting-in-wuhan-is-on-brink-of-death-426893">WATCH |</a></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-zhang-zhan-jailed-for-covid-19-reporting-in-wuhan-is-on-brink-of-death-426893/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As expected, China did not let her investigation go on for too long. Her mission came at a great cost and she was detained by Chinese authorities in May 2020. After being detained for nearly seven months, in December she was then sentenced to jail for four years on the charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". &nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

Upon her arrest, she started a hunger strike to protest the inhumane and illegal treatment being given to her. "By not eating, she wants to protest against the illegal nature of her treatment," said Zhang Keke, a member of the legal team representing Zhang. "She believes that not eating is a way to tell them they are wrong."<o:p></o:p>

Her lawyer had also claimed that she was being forced fed through nasal tubes.<o:p></o:p>

However, her family has now claimed that she is now severely underweight and there are higher chances that she "may not live for much longer".<o:p></o:p>

"Zhan is 177cm tall, now she has less than 40 kg wt. She may not survive the coming cold winter. I hope the world remember how she used to be," her brother Zhang Ju reported through his Twitter account.<o:p></o:p>

Calling it a 'shameful attack on human rights', Amnesty International has reiterated on the importance of immediate release of the former lawyer. "Release her immediately so that she can end her hunger strike and receive the appropriate medical treatment she desperately needs," the human rights organisation said in a statement.<o:p></o:p>

"If Zhang Zhan dies in prison, her blood will be on the Chinese government's hands," Amnesty campaigner Gwen Lee said.<o:p></o:p>

Chinese citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who exposed reality of coronavirus outbreak in China’s Wuhan is critically weak and close to death due to her ongoing hunger strike, her family has reported.

Chinese citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who exposed reality of coronavirus outbreak in China’s Wuhan is critically weak and close to death due to her ongoing hunger strike, her family has reported. Zhan, a 38-year-old former lawyer gained attention from Chinese authorities when she travelled to Wuhan in February 2020 to report on the pandemic centres from the epicenter of Covid, Wuhan. Through her reports, she questioned the handling of the pandemic by the Chinese authorities. Using her mobile phone, she recorded and shared shocking evidence of bedridden Covid patients who were lined up in hospital corridors in the beginning of the pandemic in Wuhan. She was also manhandled and intimidated by police officers and other Chinese officials who tried to stop her from recording and sharing these videos and images. WATCH | As expected, China did not let her investigation go on for too long. Her mission came at a great cost and she was detained by Chinese authorities in May 2020. After being detained for nearly seven months, in December she was then sentenced to jail for four years on the charges of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". Upon her arrest, she started a hunger strike to protest the inhumane and illegal treatment being given to her. "By not eating, she wants to protest against the illegal nature of her treatment," said Zhang Keke, a member of the legal team representing Zhang. "She believes that not eating is a way to tell them they are wrong." Her lawyer had also claimed that she was being forced fed through nasal tubes. However, her family has now claimed that she is now severely underweight and there are higher chances that she "may not live for much longer". "Zhan is 177cm tall, now she has less than 40 kg wt. She may not survive the coming cold winter. I hope the world remember how she used to be," her brother Zhang Ju reported through his Twitter account. Calling it a 'shameful attack on human rights', Amnesty International has reiterated on the importance of immediate release of the former lawyer. "Release her immediately so that she can end her hunger strike and receive the appropriate medical treatment she desperately needs," the human rights organisation said in a statement. "If Zhang Zhan dies in prison, her blood will be on the Chinese government's hands," Amnesty campaigner Gwen Lee said.

Zhang Zhan, who exposed China's mishandling of Covid, is close to death in jail: Family

A citizen journalist Zhang Zhan, jailed for her coverage of China's initial response to COVID-19 in Wuhan is close to death after going on hunger strike. The right groups have renewed calls for her immediate release.

China: Zhang Zhan, jailed for COVID-19 reporting in Wuhan is on brink of death

Zhang Zhan, journalist who showed the reality of the coronavirus outbreak in China's Wuhan, is severely weakened, but continuing her hunger strike from jail.&nbsp;

She caught the world's attention after she shared footage of bedridden patients lined up in a hospital corridor in Wuhan during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in China.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-scribe-that-exposed-wuhans-truth-un-calls-for-zhang-zhans-release-353032/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In another video, Zhang calmly handles a security officer who tried to stop her from filming.&nbsp;

"It's my right to monitor the government," she says as the man tries to snatch her phone.&nbsp;

However, Zhang's work, which exposed the mismanagement of the Chinese government, came at a great cost as she was detained in May.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-jails-citizen-journalist-zhang-zhan-for-four-years-over-wuhan-coronavirus-reports-352875">China jails citizen journalist Zhang Zhan for four years over Wuhan coronavirus reports</a>

Seven months later, the 37-year-old was sentenced to jail for four years for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". &nbsp;

'Not eating way to tell them, they are wrong'

One of her lawyers said Zhang has become very "thin" and "unrecognisable" as she is on a hunger strike to protest against the illegal treatment given to her, reports news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The lawyer said that she has been force-fed via nasal tubes.&nbsp;

"By not eating, she wants to protest against the illegal nature of her treatment," said Zhang Keke, a member of the legal team representing Zhang.

"She believes that not eating is a way to tell them they are wrong."

Zhang Zhan, journalist who showed the reality of the coronavirus outbreak in China's Wuhan, is severely weakened, but continuing her hunger strike from jail. She caught the world's attention after she shared footage of bedridden patients lined up in a hospital corridor in Wuhan during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in China.

Zhang Zhan, journalist who showed the reality of the coronavirus outbreak in China's Wuhan, is severely weakened, but continuing her hunger strike from jail. She caught the world's attention after she shared footage of bedridden patients lined up in a hospital corridor in Wuhan during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in China. Watch | In another video, Zhang calmly handles a security officer who tried to stop her from filming. "It's my right to monitor the government," she says as the man tries to snatch her phone. However, Zhang's work, which exposed the mismanagement of the Chinese government, came at a great cost as she was detained in May. Also read | China jails citizen journalist Zhang Zhan for four years over Wuhan coronavirus reports Seven months later, the 37-year-old was sentenced to jail for four years for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". 'Not eating way to tell them, they are wrong' One of her lawyers said Zhang has become very "thin" and "unrecognisable" as she is on a hunger strike to protest against the illegal treatment given to her, reports news agency AFP. The lawyer said that she has been force-fed via nasal tubes. "By not eating, she wants to protest against the illegal nature of her treatment," said Zhang Keke, a member of the legal team representing Zhang. "She believes that not eating is a way to tell them they are wrong."

Chinese journalist, who exposed Wuhan Covid-19 crisis, continues hunger strike from jail

A Chinese citizen journalist who covered Wuhan's coronavirus outbreak has been jailed for four years, almost a year after the virus first surfaced in the central China city.

Zhang Zhan was found guilty of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", a frequent charge against activists.

Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, was sentenced at a brief hearing in a Shanghai court for allegedly "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for her reporting in the chaotic initial stages of the outbreak.

Her live reports and essays were widely shared on social media platforms in February, grabbing the attention of authorities, who have punished eight virus whistleblowers so far as they defang criticism of the government's response to the outbreak.

Beijing has congratulated itself for "extraordinary" success in controlling the virus inside its borders, with an economy on the rebound while much of the rest of the world stutters through painful lockdowns and surging caseloads a year on from the start of the pandemic in Wuhan.

Controlling the information flow during an unprecedented global health crisis has been pivotal in allowing China's communist authorities to reframe the narrative in their favour.

But that has come at a serious cost to anyone picking holes in that storyline.

"Zhang Zhan looked devastated when the sentence was announced," Ren Quanniu, one of Zhang's defence lawyers, told reporters confirming the four year jail term outside Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court on Monday morning.

Her mother sobbed loudly as the verdict was read, Ren added.

Concerns are mounting over the health of 37-year-old Zhang who began a hunger strike in June and has been force-fed via a nasal tube.

"She said when I visited her (last week): 'If they give me a heavy sentence then I will refuse food until the very end.'... She thinks she will die in prison," Ren said before the trial.

"It's an extreme method of protesting against this society and this environment."

China's communist authorities have a history of putting dissidents on trial in opaque courts between Christmas and New Year to minimise Western scrutiny.

The trial comes just weeks before an international team of World Health Organization experts is expected to arrive in China to investigate the origins of Covid-19.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Chinese citizen journalist who covered Wuhan's coronavirus outbreak has been jailed for four years, almost a year after the virus first surfaced in the central China city.

A Chinese citizen journalist who covered Wuhan's coronavirus outbreak has been jailed for four years, almost a year after the virus first surfaced in the central China city. Zhang Zhan was found guilty of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble", a frequent charge against activists. Zhang Zhan, a former lawyer, was sentenced at a brief hearing in a Shanghai court for allegedly "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for her reporting in the chaotic initial stages of the outbreak. Her live reports and essays were widely shared on social media platforms in February, grabbing the attention of authorities, who have punished eight virus whistleblowers so far as they defang criticism of the government's response to the outbreak. Beijing has congratulated itself for "extraordinary" success in controlling the virus inside its borders, with an economy on the rebound while much of the rest of the world stutters through painful lockdowns and surging caseloads a year on from the start of the pandemic in Wuhan. Controlling the information flow during an unprecedented global health crisis has been pivotal in allowing China's communist authorities to reframe the narrative in their favour. But that has come at a serious cost to anyone picking holes in that storyline. "Zhang Zhan looked devastated when the sentence was announced," Ren Quanniu, one of Zhang's defence lawyers, told reporters confirming the four year jail term outside Shanghai Pudong New District People's Court on Monday morning. Her mother sobbed loudly as the verdict was read, Ren added. Concerns are mounting over the health of 37-year-old Zhang who began a hunger strike in June and has been force-fed via a nasal tube. "She said when I visited her (last week): 'If they give me a heavy sentence then I will refuse food until the very end.'... She thinks she will die in prison," Ren said before the trial. "It's an extreme method of protesting against this society and this environment." China's communist authorities have a history of putting dissidents on trial in opaque courts between Christmas and New Year to minimise Western scrutiny. The trial comes just weeks before an international team of World Health Organization experts is expected to arrive in China to investigate the origins of Covid-19. (With inputs from agencies)

China jails citizen journalist Zhang Zhan for four years over Wuhan coronavirus reports

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan,&nbsp;who uncovered COVID-19&nbsp;has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed.

The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/chinese-citizen-journalist-zhang-zhan-imprisoned-for-reporting-on-covid-19-outbreak-343989/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In a blog entry on Wednesday, Zhang's legal advisor, Zhang Keke, said he visited his customer on Tuesday evening and discovered her unwell and exhausted.&nbsp;

"She was wearing thick night robe with a support around the midsection, her left hand stuck in front and right hand stuck behind," he composed. "She said she had a stomach tube embedded as of late and on the grounds that she needed to haul it out, she was limited."&nbsp;

Her lawyer&nbsp;said Zhang Zhan was in "steady torture" from 24 hours per day of restrictions and required help to go to the washroom.&nbsp;

"Notwithstanding migraine, unsteadiness, and stomach torment, there was likewise torment in her mouth and throat. She said this might be irritating because of the addition of a gastric cylinder."&nbsp;

Zhang Keke said he revealed to Zhang her family, companions, and attorneys had asked her to stop her appetite strike, however, she won't. He said Zhang revealed to him she had expected a court hearing in December, and now it showed up there were no designs to hold one, she didn't have a clue whether she would endure.&nbsp;

Zhang was recently confined on comparable allegations by Chinese experts in 2018, and again in 2019 for voicing support for Hong Kong activists. She prevents the charge from getting misrepresenting data, disclosing to her legal counselor that all the data was accumulated firsthand through meetings with Wuhan inhabitants.&nbsp;

Zhang is among a few Chinese writers to have been captured for the current year subsequent to going to Wuhan to investigate the infection episode and reaction.&nbsp;

Chen Qiushi, a previous legal advisor turned writer, was kept in January. Li Zehua, who ventured out to Wuhan to report after Chen's vanishing, disappeared toward the beginning of February yet was delivered in April. Wuhan inhabitant Fang Bin who allegedly posted film of overpowered emergency clinics, and shot police thumping on his entryway disappeared simultaneously, however, has not been seen since.&nbsp;

The Chinese government's crackdown on activists, dissenters, and basic liberties works seems to have demolished for the current year.&nbsp;

On Thursday Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said for the current week alone specialists had confined attorney Tang Jitian, and put under evident house capture legal counselors Xie Yanyi, Li Heping and his family, Wang Quanzhang and his family, and the spouse of legal advisor Yu Wenshang. Posting recordings of a portion of the police activity at the attorneys' homes, CHRD blamed experts for turning "Basic liberties Day into a field day for assaulting basic freedoms safeguards".

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who uncovered COVID-19 has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed.

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, who uncovered COVID-19 has had a feeding tube forcibly inserted and her arms restrained to stop her pulling it out, her lawyer has claimed. The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". In a blog entry on Wednesday, Zhang's legal advisor, Zhang Keke, said he visited his customer on Tuesday evening and discovered her unwell and exhausted. "She was wearing thick night robe with a support around the midsection, her left hand stuck in front and right hand stuck behind," he composed. "She said she had a stomach tube embedded as of late and on the grounds that she needed to haul it out, she was limited." Her lawyer said Zhang Zhan was in "steady torture" from 24 hours per day of restrictions and required help to go to the washroom. "Notwithstanding migraine, unsteadiness, and stomach torment, there was likewise torment in her mouth and throat. She said this might be irritating because of the addition of a gastric cylinder." Zhang Keke said he revealed to Zhang her family, companions, and attorneys had asked her to stop her appetite strike, however, she won't. He said Zhang revealed to him she had expected a court hearing in December, and now it showed up there were no designs to hold one, she didn't have a clue whether she would endure. Zhang was recently confined on comparable allegations by Chinese experts in 2018, and again in 2019 for voicing support for Hong Kong activists. She prevents the charge from getting misrepresenting data, disclosing to her legal counselor that all the data was accumulated firsthand through meetings with Wuhan inhabitants. Zhang is among a few Chinese writers to have been captured for the current year subsequent to going to Wuhan to investigate the infection episode and reaction. Chen Qiushi, a previous legal advisor turned writer, was kept in January. Li Zehua, who ventured out to Wuhan to report after Chen's vanishing, disappeared toward the beginning of February yet was delivered in April. Wuhan inhabitant Fang Bin who allegedly posted film of overpowered emergency clinics, and shot police thumping on his entryway disappeared simultaneously, however, has not been seen since. The Chinese government's crackdown on activists, dissenters, and basic liberties works seems to have demolished for the current year. On Thursday Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD) said for the current week alone specialists had confined attorney Tang Jitian, and put under evident house capture legal counselors Xie Yanyi, Li Heping and his family, Wang Quanzhang and his family, and the spouse of legal advisor Yu Wenshang. Posting recordings of a portion of the police activity at the attorneys' homes, CHRD blamed experts for turning "Basic liberties Day into a field day for assaulting basic freedoms safeguards".

Zhang Zhan: Chinese citizen journalist who uncovered COVID-19 'restrained and fed by tube'

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, is being subjected to a possible jail time for nearly five years for reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, that allegedly started in a Wuhan lab.

The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dr-li-meng-yan-virologist-who-claims-covid-19-manufactured-in-china-lab-challenges-facebook-335158">Dr Li-Meng Yan, virologist who claims COVID-19 manufactured in China lab challenges Facebook</a>

The district prosecutors are now alleging her of fabricating information related to the novel coronavirus which has affected millions of lives all around the world since the end of 2019. "She is now being accused of fabricating malicious and false information about the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan and accepting interviews with overseas media," a source revealed.

There are also fears that she will be punished with maximum penalty, as the prosecutors are now also citing her alleged previous offences from 2018 and 2019.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/coronavirus-mutations-appearing-in-siberia-russian-scientists-343820">Coronavirus mutations appearing in Siberia: Russian scientists</a>

Zhan, who is currently in a detention centre in Shanghai, has resumed eating food on regular basis. The citizen journalist had earlier gone on a hunger strike in the second month of her arrest, claiming she will break the strike only if she is released unconditionally. "She was initially being force-fed and put on drips when she first started the hunger strike as she demanded to be released unconditionally," the source revealed. At that time, her cell-mates were being asked to force-feed her. However, later, she resumed consuming food on her own.

She was arrested after she travelled to Wuhan, where the coronavirus allegedly began and live-streamed the condition of the city through her social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook. She also penned down an article criticising the way the outbreak was handled by the Chinese government and raised the question of whether the censorship in the severity of the outbreak was intentional by Xi's government.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-to-human-transmission-of-rare-chapare-virus-in-bolivia-confirmed-by-scientists-343728">Human-to-human transmission of rare 'Chapare virus' in Bolivia confirmed by scientists</a>

Following the live streaming and the reports, Zhan was arrested by the Shanghai Police on May 15, but was officially charged three months later, citing concerns about her safety and well-being. Now, in addition to allegedly generating fale information, she is also being charged&nbsp;for “picking quarrels” and “disrupting public order" — two offences from&nbsp;April and November 2019 respectively&nbsp;and&nbsp;for allegedly inciting subversion — an accusation from August 2018.

If proven guilty, she could face a jail term for four to five years.

In addition to Zhan, three other citizen journalists —&nbsp;Li Zehua, Chen Qiushi and Fang Bin — have also been detained by the Chinese government on the allegation of generating false information, after they live-streamed the condition of the country during the pandemic, and questioned the government's motives.

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, is being subjected to a possible jail time for nearly five years for reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, that allegedly started in a Wuhan lab.

A Chinese ex-lawyer and a citizen journalist, Zhang Zhan, is being subjected to a possible jail time for nearly five years for reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, that allegedly started in a Wuhan lab. The 37-year-old Shanghai-based citizen journalist was arrested by the local police authorities in mid-May on the allegations of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble". Also read| Dr Li-Meng Yan, virologist who claims COVID-19 manufactured in China lab challenges Facebook The district prosecutors are now alleging her of fabricating information related to the novel coronavirus which has affected millions of lives all around the world since the end of 2019. "She is now being accused of fabricating malicious and false information about the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan and accepting interviews with overseas media," a source revealed. There are also fears that she will be punished with maximum penalty, as the prosecutors are now also citing her alleged previous offences from 2018 and 2019. Also read| Coronavirus mutations appearing in Siberia: Russian scientists Zhan, who is currently in a detention centre in Shanghai, has resumed eating food on regular basis. The citizen journalist had earlier gone on a hunger strike in the second month of her arrest, claiming she will break the strike only if she is released unconditionally. "She was initially being force-fed and put on drips when she first started the hunger strike as she demanded to be released unconditionally," the source revealed. At that time, her cell-mates were being asked to force-feed her. However, later, she resumed consuming food on her own. She was arrested after she travelled to Wuhan, where the coronavirus allegedly began and live-streamed the condition of the city through her social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook. She also penned down an article criticising the way the outbreak was handled by the Chinese government and raised the question of whether the censorship in the severity of the outbreak was intentional by Xi's government. Also read| Human-to-human transmission of rare 'Chapare virus' in Bolivia confirmed by scientists Following the live streaming and the reports, Zhan was arrested by the Shanghai Police on May 15, but was officially charged three months later, citing concerns about her safety and well-being. Now, in addition to allegedly generating fale information, she is also being charged for “picking quarrels” and “disrupting public order" — two offences from April and November 2019 respectively and for allegedly inciting subversion — an accusation from August 2018. If proven guilty, she could face a jail term for four to five years. In addition to Zhan, three other citizen journalists — Li Zehua, Chen Qiushi and Fang Bin — have also been detained by the Chinese government on the allegation of generating false information, after they live-streamed the condition of the country during the pandemic, and questioned the government's motives.

Chinese citizen journalist who uncovered COVID-19 truth faces possibility of jail time: Reports

zhang-zhan

Zhang Zhan, News on Zhang Zhan, stories on Zhang Zhan, articles on Zhang Zhan, Zhang Zhan stories at Wion, Zhang Zhan news, Zhang Zhan latest news

zhang zhan

Gravitas | Zhang Zhan: What has China done to the Wuhan citizen journalist?