Front Line is deeply concerned by reports received regarding the alleged arrest of and legal action against pro-democracy activist and cyber dissident, Zhang Lin.
On 29 January 2005, local police in Bengbu, in the province of Anhui, arrested human rights defender Zhang Lin and several other individuals who had travelled with him to Beijing to attend a memorial service for the former, reformist Prime minister (1980-1987) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (1987-1989), Zhao Ziyang. At the time of his arrest, local police reportedly told him he would be held in administrative detention for 15 days. On 19 March, after nearly two months in detention, Zhang Lin was formally arrested on allegations of 'inciting subversion of state authority' for his contributions to several online-news sites. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. 
