China jails 12 for illegal publications about party

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) – A Chinese court slapped a dozen of people with varying jail terms for illegally publishing books related to the Communist Party of China, local media reported on Thursday.

According to China’s state-run newspaper Global Times, prison sentences were handed down to 12 convicts involved in illegal publishing of books related to the party and government affairs.

"The accused were convicted of violating state regulations by illegally reprinting and selling huge volumes of publications, which seriously endangered the social order and disrupted the legitimate publishing market," the daily reported, citing the Intermediate People's Court of Yueyang in Hunan province, central China.

Defendants are accused of "downloading documents and books related to major party conferences" and "compiling the material for publication."

The court ruled seven years and 10 months for the defendant, surnamed Xie, who was also fined with 450,000 yuan ($64,330).

Other defendants were given prison terms ranging from two to seven years, plus slapped with fines.