Tan Kai, one of the founders of “Green Watch,” an environmental watch organization in Zhejiang Province, China, was detained on October 19 by local police and recently charged with “Disclosing State Secrets.” On December 7, the police arrested him for “Stealing State Secrets.” But only recently, did his family receive official notification of his arrest.
Because the case involves “state secrets,” his father Tan Xiaolong had to request permission from the Hangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau for legal representation for his son. The request was denied. In response to the rejection, Tan Xiaolong has applied for a review of the decision from the Bureau. At present, he and the attorneys are still not allowed to visit Tan Kai.
Police Deliberately Frame Tan Kai to Stop His Environmental Rights Activities
Tan’s father, Tan Xiaolong, told a journalist that Tan Kai was arrested because he copied a “secret” document from a government official’s laptop while repairing the computer. His father was told by authorities that it was lucky his son did not distribute the information; otherwise the consequences would have been more serious.
His father said that police did not disclose what information Tan had copied.
Tan’s house has been searched three times. During the last search, police entered his home in Hangzhou and confiscated his computer, with authorization from Tan, who was in custody at that time.
His father repeatedly told this reporter that the authorities had been collecting evidence for two months, and apparently finally took his son’s computer as an excuse to justify their allegations.
“We feel mistreated. Tan repairs computers for a living. He often backs up his customer’s documents, so that they will not be lost, and he never reviews or distributes the files.”
Tan Xiaolong protested to the police saying that if Tan Kai “stole state secrets,” then what about the government official who stored the secret information on his laptop and casually sent it for repair? Why wasn’t that person “Leaking State Secrets?” If it was okay for that person, why should Tan be arrested?
A friend of Tan Kai’s, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Epoch Times that it is very possible that the police set up the computer repair request as a trap to deliberately frame Tan. Otherwise, who would load “state secrets” on a computer, casually take it to a repair shop, and then report the incident to the police? What the local police really wanted was to prevent Tan from participating in environment-related activities.
The renowned democratic icon, Fan Ziliang from Zhejiang, who has been following this case, says that the motive of the person who delivered the laptop for repair is very suspicious. It’s possible he was a spy sent by the police. Clearly, this is an underhanded trick.
Fan Ziliang said that the CCP frequently uses this type of ploy to deal with political dissidents. They also did this to Wei Jingsheng. Not long before, Shi Tao, Zhao Yan, Chen Xiang, and many others were also “charged.” As we look back, we see that they were all set up!
Founder Arrested, Organization Banned
“Green Watch” was founded by six Zhejiang residents, including Tan Kai and Lai Jin Biao, after a water pollution incident occurred in Huashui Town, Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province.
On October 19 2005 at 9:00 AM, the Hangzhou police separately detained “Green Watch” founder Tan Kai and other members including Qi Huimin, Lai Jinbiao, Wu Yuanming, and Gao Haibing. Afterwards, all of them were released except for Tan Kai.
On November 11, 2005 Hongzhou City Administration of Civil Affairs published a notice banning the organization.
After the disastrous Songari River pollution incident, caused by the explosion of a chemical processing plant in Jilin Province in November, members of the organization wrote a letter to the National People’s Congress requesting acknowledgement of the organization, and the release of its founder Tan Kai.
On November 15, “Green Watch” and several of its members received two documents from the government: “Decision Banning Illegal Non-Government Organization - Hongzhou City Government Administration Civil Affairs Office” and a “Notice of Fine.” Ren Weiren and Gao Haibing refused to acknowledge the fine or to sign the document.
Legal Representation Denied, Tan’s Father Requests a Review
Tan Xiaolong requested permission from the Hangzhou Police Station to obtain representation from Beijing defense attorneys Li Heping and Li Xiongbing. He received notification from the police department that his request had been denied. Tan Xiaolong has applied for a review of the decision. He said that the Hangzhou police station has already violated the criminal investigation laws by detaining his son for a period longer than allowed. “Tan Kai has the right to unbiased, and prompt legal assistance.”
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