Liu Yuandong Ÿ 刘远东

Crime: Withdrawing contributed capital after incorporation of a company

Length of Punishment: Unknown

Court: Unknown

Trial Date: Unknown

Sentencing Date: Unknown

Dates of Detention/Arrest: February 23, 2013 (detained); April 3, 2013 (arrested)

Place of Incarceration: Tianhe District Detention Center

Background

Liu Yuandong (刘远东), a longstanding supporter of democracy activists, was seized at Guangzhou’s People’s Park while participating in a protest against North Korea’s third nuclear test conducted in February 2013. He was first held for 15 days under administrative detention on a charge of “unlawful assembly and demonstration” before being criminally detained in April 2013 on suspicion of “withdrawing contributed capital after incorporation of a company.” Liu has been subjected to mistreatment such as sleep deprivation while in police custody. Born in 1978, Liu Yuandong is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist who owns a biotechnology company. Just before his current detention, he participated in a solidarity protest outside Southern Weekly’sheadquarters in Guangzhou on January 9, and was briefly detained.

Further Information

Individuals Detained in Crackdown on Peaceful Assembly & Association, September 26, 2013, CHRD

“Online campaign for release of Guangdong democracy activist Liu Yuandong gathers pace,” April 29, 2013,South China Morning Post