Zhang Haitao

Extra Bio Info:

Zhang Haitao is imprisoned for his religious freedom advocacy.

In July 2015, Chinese authorities arrested Haitao for criticizing the Chinese Communist Party's human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims, including forced sterilization, torture, sexual abuse, and forced labor. 

In January 2016, the Urumchi Intermediate People’s Court in Xinjiang sentenced Zhang to 19 years' imprisonment with deprivation of political rights for 5 years, and confiscation of 120,000 yuan in personal property for "subversion of state power" and "illegally providing intelligence to overseas entities." During detention, prison guards beat Zhang upside down, deprived him of sleep for twenty days and nights, and held him incommunicado for at least four years.