On Tuesday, May 22, it was reported by the Chinese state media that Chinese prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against an individual accused of insulting a brave fireman who risked his life during an operation, making it the first case which used the adopted law in April which banned the defamation of heroes and martyrs.
According to the report of Global Times, the case was filed by the procuratorate of the eastern province of Jiangsu on Monday against a person identified only by their surname Zeng. Zeng was allegedly spreading hate speech on social media against Xie Yong, a fireman who died from a building during a rescue operation in the area on May 12.
Under the law, it is illegal to "misrepresent, defame, profane, or deny the deeds and spirits of heroes and martyrs, or to praise or beautify invasions." If found guilty of these acts, they face a punishment in line with the law and would be investigated for other criminal responsibilities.
The Global Times reported that Xie was declared a martyr a day after his death in heavy smoke after leaving his respirator with a colleague. They also reported that Zeng has already been placed in criminal detention after posting comments in WeChat.
For the past couple of years since he became president, President Xi Jinping has introduced several laws for the protection of China and the Communist Party against internal and external threats, including a crackdown on dissent and free speech. Several historians and individuals have already been tried in court for challenging the history of the party and its heroes.
