Wang Meiyu (王美余) was a civic activist from Hunan who died in custody on September 23, 2019, about two and a half months after his arrest.
Activism and detention
Human-rights reporting states that Wang became active after the forced demolition of his home. In 2018 he carried out solo protests in Hengyang and Changsha calling for political reform and national elections. On July 8, 2019, he was arrested at Changsha Railway Station and was later held at Hengyang City Detention Center on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”
Death and disputed circumstances
On September 23, Wang’s wife was told by police that he had died at the People’s Liberation Army No. 169 Hospital in Hengyang. Chinese Human Rights Defenders reported that police did not provide a precise medical cause and that officials pressed the family to accept an account describing the death as an accident following an acute illness.
His wife reportedly observed injuries on his face and blood around his eyes, ears, mouth and nostrils. Those are attributed family observations, not independent medical findings. No public autopsy or independent investigation has established the cause of death.
Related records
Memorial: Wang Meiyu
Media Profile & Archive: Wang Meiyu