China jails lawyer who reported on coronavirus outbreak

A pro-democracy activist holds placards with the picture of Chinese citizen journalist Zhang Zhan (AP/Kin Cheung)

A Chinese court has sentenced a former lawyer who reported on the early stage of the coronavirus outbreak to four years in prison on charges of “picking fights and provoking trouble”, one of her lawyers said.

The Pudong New Area People’s Court in the financial hub of Shanghai gave the sentence to Zhang Zhan following accusations she spread false information, gave interviews to foreign media, disrupted public order and “maliciously manipulated” the outbreak.