Chinese internet writer and activist, Chen Qitang who write under the pen name Tianli, was during the recently sentence to two and a half years in prison for alleged fraud and impersonation.  This a charge the Chinese authorities frequently charge activists with.

Chen was put in custody in October 2007 and formally arrested in December of that same year, according to a Chinese civil rights body, Civil Rights and Livelihood Watch, Chen’s wife was informed of the sentence five days after it had been passed, they were unaware on any trial.

Neither court officials nor the Nanhai Police offered any comments about the issue to the International Herald Tribune.

Seems this year is rather ominous for Chinese disidents.

H/T to China Digital Times