China builds more detention centers as Xi Jinping ups anti-corruption drive

[Craig Nigrelli]

CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING’S ALLEGED ANTI-CORRUPTION EFFORTS ACROSS CHINA ARE WIDENING … WITH MORE DETENTION CENTERS GOING UP TO HOLD SUSPECTS AT THE CENTER OF HIS CRACKDOWN.

AT LEAST 218 DETECTION CENTERS HAVE BEEN BUILT, RENOVATED OR EXPANDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY BETWEEN 20-17 AND NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR … ACCORDING TO C-N-N.

THE FACILITIES KNOWN AS LIUZHI KEEP THE SUSPECTS FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS WITHOUT ACCESS TO LAWYERS OR FAMILY VISITS … WHILE THEY’RE BEING INVESTIGATED.

THE COMMUNIST LEADER TOOK POWER IN 20-12 AND HAS SINCE TRIED TO TAKE DOWN OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, ALONG WITH HIS POLITICAL RIVALS AND THOSE HE CONSIDERS DISLOYAL.

THE SOUTH CHINA POST REPORTS THE CORRUPTION CRACKDOWN DETAINED 56 HIGH-RANKING OFFICIALS IN 20-24.

XI HAS ALSO TARGETED ANYONE EXERCISING PUBLIC POWER INCLUDING CIVIL SERVANTS AND MANAGERS OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS … EVEN SCHOOL AND HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS. 

HE HAS ALSO DETAINED BUSINESSMEN AND OTHER HIGH PROFILE FIGURES THE COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT HAS ACCUSED OF BRIBERY. 

CRITICS ARGUE THE DETENTION SYSTEM IS AN ABUSE OF POWER WITH A LAWYER REPRESENTING OFFICIALS IN CORRUPTION CASES TELLING C-N-N THE DETAINEES TYPICALLY FACE THREATS, TORTURE AND EXTREMEE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE. 

CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY THE LIUZHI SYSTEM IS CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD WHAT THEY CALL “THE RULE OF LAW IN ANTI-CORRUPTION WORK.”

GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS SHOW A CONSTRUCTION PLAN INVOLVES BUILDING MORE DETENTION FACILITIES THROUGH 20-27. 

FOR SAN – I’M CRAIG NIGRELLI.

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