China Brings Same Charges in New Case for Journalist

By Jim Yardley | The New York Times
May 17, 2006

Chinese prosecutors have indicted a researcher for The New York Times on accusations of fraud and disclosing state secrets, a reinstatement of the same case that authorities dropped two months ago.

The reintroduction of charges against Zhao Yan, 44, who worked in The Times's Beijing bureau, means that legal proceedings against him are at a new starting point, even though he has spent almost 21 months in prison without a hearing or an appearance before a judge.

Mo Shaoping, the lead defense lawyer for Mr. Zhao, said Chinese law requires that a trial be held within six weeks, though prosecutors can seek at least two postponements. Mr. Zhao, who has denied the charges, faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted. His case has been marked by delays and legal irregularities.

"We're deeply, deeply disappointed," said Bill Keller, executive editor of The Times. "We've never seen any proof that Zhao Yan was guilty of anything but journalism. Over the past year, we've been writing about Chinese efforts to modernize their legal system, and a case like this certainly casts doubt on their progress."

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