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Legislators critical of poetic scandal
5/3/2007 9:29

Law makers arriving in Beijing for the top legislature's annual session have criticized government officials in the municipality of Chongqing over the "Pengshui poem scandal" which saw a civil servant arrested after he wrote a satirical poem mocking local officials last year, saying it is a step back for justice and the nation's move to build a harmonious society.

"It is a crude infringement on the freedom of speech and humiliates our move to build a harmonious society and a society governed by law," said Chen Zhonglin, dean of Southwest University of Political Science and Law.

Chen is in Beijing for the Fifth Session of the 10th National People's Congress, the national legislature, which opens today.

Qin Zhongfei, a civil servant in Pengshui County of Chongqing, was arrested last September for sending a satirical poem poking fun at three leading local officials to several friends by text message and e-mail.

Qin's arrest caused a furor on the Internet and sparked nationwide criticism, which led to his release four weeks later.

The case was dubbed the "Pengshui poem scandal" and has been a hot topic in China ever since.

Chen Zhonglin, an NPC deputy, questioned the role of local prosecutors, judges and police in the affair.

Pengshui police boss Zhou Mingguang compared the police to "the son of government," saying "how could we ignore this when our father is beaten?"

According to the law, government and Communist Party leaders cannot intervene in the freedom of justice. The procuratorial and judicial officials are appointed by and only accountable to the local people's congress, Chen said.



 Xinhua news