Tiananmen Square Massacre Victims Under House Arrest

Central News Agency | Jan 18 2005

BEIJING – After the death of former Chinese Communist Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang, victims in the Tiananmen Square Massacre were immediately put under surveillance and house arrest. They are forbidden from visiting Zhao Ziyang’s former residence to show mourning. According to sources from Beijing, government approval is needed to visit Zhao’s former residence.
Qi Zhiyong, a worker disabled from police shooting during the 1989 Massacre, called on the Chinese authorities yesterday to admit their mistake and to restore Zhao Ziyang’s reputation. He was immediately put under house arrest by the authorities and forbidden from leaving his house.

Qi said that he lost his freedom on the evening of January 17. Two policemen, two security officers, and two local militiamen were dispatched to watch him. They told him that he was not allowed to go out, including going out to buy special clothes to mourn Zhao Ziyang’s death in his own home.

Another victim of the massacre said that every year they would be put under surveillance around June 4, but the ban to mourn for Zhao was “truly inhumane.”

Sources from Beijing said that special personnel are stationed every three to five yards outside of Zhao’s former residence at Fuqiang Alley. He said that there were many cars parked at Fuqiang Alley, including some belonging to Chinese government officials. “But all of these people received approval from the government. No ordinary citizen can receive permission to come and mourn Zhao Ziyang.”

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