Appealees Jailed for Racketeering Courts

Many farmers in Hebei province were charged and jailed on crime of racketeering local government or local courts in 2009.

When farmers appealed to higher courts what they perceived unfair handling of their cases, they did not know they would be threw into jail by the very lower courts they complain about, on name of 'blackmailing', or racketeering.

New Capital News (Xinjingbao) reported that Chen Tongmei of Cang County was sentenced to five years, Wang Jinrong of Cang County was sentenced to five years, a couple Zhou Qilong and Li Baofeng of Mengcun County were sentenced to two years.

Yuan Zhongliang, brothers Liu Jisheng and Liu Jili of Nanpi County were also charged with blackmailing local government. They are lucky that their cases were dismissed when higher court, the Supreme Court of Hebei Province, intervened.

Cang County, Mengchun County and Nanpi County are all in Cangzhou District.

Don't Help Strangers, They Could be Shanghai Cops

For a moment, imagine you were driving to work on any busy morning commute. It was 7:45 and the red light just won't let it go. You may sign, you may swear, but suddenly a couple in shabby clothing opened your back doors and sat on your car. Before you recovered from the shock, they would tell you that the woman was suffering a severe stomach pain, and that they had been unable to hire a taxi for twenty minutes. They asked you to take them to the nearest hospital. They would beg you, and praise your ancestors for your kindness, but they wouldn't leave your car until you said okay.

Many drivers showed their kindness, but was arrested and beaten by the police at the 'hospital' entrance. They police would charge you for illegal operating taxi business. They would give you a 10,000 RMB ($1,600) fine or throw you in jail.

The mass 'sting' operation happened in Shanghai, where the police pockets millions of fines in the first day. It didn't last too long, because almost all drivers were alerted by their relatives and friends who had fell victims. Tens of thousands of Shanghai drivers had mobilized on the Internet to retaliate the brute violation of civil rights.

226 Days later, Shanghai is going to host the World Fair. Since the Shanghai government endorsed the police's operation, private car owners of Shanghai are launching a campaign to appeal the case to the attendees of the World Fair by sticking a bumper sticker which reads 'Don't Help Strangers, They Could be Cops'.