Zhang Jian (章建) — Media Profile & Archive
Person profile: Zhang Jian (章建)
This archive collects verified media and documentary records concerning Zhang Jian (章建), a retired chemistry teacher from Xianning, Hubei Province, who was sentenced to three years in prison in connection with his practice of Falun Gong.
Case record
The Chinese Human Rights Defenders Prisoners of Conscience database records: 章建, male, born 1953, resident of Xian’an District, Xianning City, Hubei; retired first-class chemistry teacher at Xianning Yong’an Middle School; Falun Gong practitioner since June 1996. Detained September 22, 2023; held at Xianning City No. 1 Detention Center; sentenced to three years, charge unspecified; sentence term to September 21, 2026.
Reporting
Minghui (April 1, 2025) reported that Zhang, then 72, was detained on September 22, 2023 near Nanshan, Xian’an District, while speaking with people about Falun Gong. The report describes a long history of detentions and home searches since 1999, and states he received a three-year sentence, with details pending. Minghui is a Falun Gong-run outlet; its account is presented as reported and has not been independently corroborated by non-advocacy sources.
Source chronology
- June 1996 — began practicing Falun Gong (per CHRD/Minghui).
- 1999–2022 — repeated detentions, home searches (at least nine), brainwashing sessions in 2004, 2006 and 2012, and a seven-day detention in September 2022 (per Minghui; not independently corroborated).
- September 22, 2023 — detained near Nanshan, Xian’an District; home searched (per Minghui).
- Late 2023 — transferred to Xianning City No. 1 Detention Center (per CHRD/Minghui).
- April 1, 2025 — Minghui reports a three-year sentence, details pending.
- September 21, 2026 — nominal end of sentence term (per CHRD). Release unconfirmed.
Evidentiary limitations
The charge is unspecified in all available sources. No official judgment document or state-media record was found in a bounded search. No independent non-advocacy source has corroborated the case. Claims about the legality of the detention and about treatment in custody are attributed to Minghui and should be read as such.