Yahoo! Chinese dissidentreunited with his family

A CHINESE dissident imprisoned for 10 years on a state subversion conviction supported by evidence from Yahoo! was released yesterday after completing his term, his wife said.

The American internet company drew strong condemnation for co-operating with Chinese authorities in prosecuting dissidents and a well-known journalist.

The company later apologised and settled a lawsuit with the families involved for an undisclosed amount.

Wang Xiaoning’s wife, Yu Ling, said yesterday that her husband had been released.

“We’re happy that the family is together again,” Ms Yu, who has a son with her husband, said.

Mr Wang was detained in September 2002 and later sentenced for “incitement to subvert state power” – a vaguely defined charge frequently used to punish political critics.

Mr Wang distributed pro-
democracy writings by e-mail and through Yahoo! Groups.

A former engineer in China’s weapons industry, Mr Wang had been detained previously for his political activities following the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in
Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.