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Chinese Covid-19 whistle-blower sentenced to four more years in jail

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Chinese journalist Zhang Zhan, who was previously jailed for documenting the early days of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, has been sentenced to an additional four years in prison, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Zhang, 42, was convicted on Friday, September 19, under the charge of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble,” the same accusation that led to her December 2020 imprisonment after she published first-hand accounts of the coronavirus outbreak from Wuhan. RSF confirmed the sentencing.

China’s foreign ministry has not yet commented on the case, and Reuters reported it was unclear whether Zhang currently has legal representation.

RSF condemned the ruling, calling Zhang a symbol of press freedom. “She should be celebrated globally as an ‘information hero’, not trapped in brutal prison conditions,” said RSF Asia-Pacific advocacy manager Aleksandra Bielakowska. “Her ordeal and persecution must end. It is more urgent than ever for the international diplomatic community to pressure Beijing for her immediate release.”

Zhang’s initial reports included videos from overwhelmed hospitals and empty streets in Wuhan that contradicted the official narrative about the scale of the outbreak. She was arrested after months of posting online, and her then-lawyer, Ren Quanniu, said she believed she was “being persecuted for exercising her freedom of speech.”

Following her arrest, Zhang launched a hunger strike, leading police to restrain her hands and force-feed her through a tube, her lawyers said at the time. She was sentenced to four years in prison in 2020 but released in May 2024, only to be detained again three months later. She was eventually held at Shanghai’s Pudong Detention Centre before Friday’s new sentencing, RSF said.

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Ren wrote on X that the new charges were linked to comments Zhang posted on overseas websites. “She should not be deemed guilty,” he added.

International press freedom groups have condemned China’s actions. “This is the second time Zhang Zhan has faced trial on baseless charges that amount to nothing more than a blatant act of persecution for her journalism work,” said Beh Lih Yi, Asia-Pacific director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “Chinese authorities must put an end to the arbitrary detention of Zhang, drop all charges and free her immediately.”

China has been widely criticised for its treatment of journalists. RSF said the country currently holds at least 124 media workers in detention, making it the world’s largest jailer of journalists. It ranks 178th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2025 World Press Freedom Index.

The ruling also comes a week after China’s top legislators passed a new bill to accelerate public health emergency responses, allowing citizens to directly report emergencies and bypass traditional government channels.

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PHOTOS: Two Nigerians sentenced to 7 years imprisonment for armed robbery in Kuwait

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Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.

The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.

The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.

The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.

The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.

The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.

The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.

The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.

The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.

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PHOTOS: Cross River police arrest alleged fake doctor for operating illegal mobile clinic

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The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.

The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.

Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.

He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.

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PHOTOS: NSCDC uncovers alleged fake university, rescues 106 youths in Badagry

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News

The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.

The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.

Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.

“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”

Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.

The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.

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However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.

The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.

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