Ran Yunfei (冉云飞), a well-known Chinese Internet writer and independent intellectual, was formally arrested on suspicion of "inciting subversion of state power" by the Chengdu Municipal Public Security Bureau. On Monday, March 28, Ran's wife, Wang Wei (王伟), received the official arrest notification dated March 25, 2011.  Ran was first detained by Chengdu police on February 19, 2011, on suspicion of "subversion of state power."

One of the first signers of Charter 08, Ran is a vocal advocate of democracy and freedom. He has been active on the Internet for many years, posting articles critical of the government on issues concerning people's livelihood.  He has also been an active participant in rights defense activities and is widely considered one of the China's most important public intellectuals.

"In continuing to criminalize individuals who speak out about the root causes of the problems affecting the society, the Chinese authorities are engaging in a doomed-to-failed effort to silence their critics," said Sharon Hom, Executive Director of Human Rights in China (HRIC). "All they are demonstrating are their lack of solutions, their insecurity, and their lack of control."  HRIC urges the international community to closely monitor the on-going crackdown and take effective measures to request the Chinese authorities to guarantee the fundamental rights protected by the Chinese Constitution and international law.

For more information on Ran Yunfei, see:

• "Heavy Charges for Chinese Activists; HRIC Urges Support from International Community," February 25, 2011
• "Lawyers and Activists Detained, Summoned, and Harassed in 'Jasmine Rallies' Crackdown," February 23, 2011
• Ran Yunfei's blog
• Ran Yunfei on my1510
• Ran Yunfei on Bullogger
• Ran Yunfei on Desai Gongyuan
• Ran Yunfei on Twitter
• Ran Yunfei Concern Group Facebook Page