Chinese security officers jailed for fatal beating of man who filmed them
A Chinese court has jailed four security officers who beat a man to death after he filmed them clashing with villagers, in a case which gained nationwide notoriety.
But the family of Wei Wenhua have vowed to appeal because of their anger at the light sentences given to his assailants, who were ordered to serve between three and six years.
Thousands of internet users posted angry messages following his death in January, which became emblematic of brutality among chengguan, or "urban management" officials. The chengguan are a secondary security force employed to take pressure off the police by enforcing regulations, but are widely feared for their heavy-handedness.
The killing caused particular outrage because Wei, a construction company manager and blogger, was not even involved in the initial confrontation. He was driving through the area when he saw officials and enforcers attacking residents trying to stop them dumping rubbish and began filming on his mobile phone.
I seem to recall cases where criminals in China have been sentenced to death for less than this. Not that I am saying that is the appropriate sentence in this case. However, when it involves those in positions of power then I believe it warrants an additional penalty.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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