Wei Wenhua | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1967-01-03)January 3, 1967 |
| Died | January 7, 2008(2008-01-07) (aged 41) |
| Cause of death | Beaten to death by law enforcement for documenting law enforcement |
| Occupation | Construction manager |
Wei Wenhua (simplified Chinese:魏文华;traditional Chinese:魏文華;pinyin:Wèi Wénhuá; January 3, 1967[1][2] – January 7, 2008) was the general manager of a construction company, Shuli Architectural Engineering. He was beaten to death in Wanba,Tianmen,Hubei, after attempting to film Chinese authorities clashing with villagers.[2][3]
The conflict which Wei attempted to film centered on a garbage dump in the village that theChinese government was using, which the village government feared to be threatening to the inhabitants' lives.[4]
The Chinese media reported that Wei was beaten by a group of thirty or moreChengguan (urban management officers) when he attempted to photograph the villagers protesting (by attempting to prevent more garbage being dumped)[3] with amobile phone (it is not currently known what Wei was attempting to use the photographs for).[4] He was beaten inside his car for five minutes[5] and declared dead at a local hospital soon after.[2][4]
Qi Zhengjun, secretary-general of the city's government and commander of the municipal force, was fired from his position after the incident, following public outrage and government investigation into Wei's death. Twenty-four Chengguan members, as well as over one hundred other government personnel, were also questioned,[3][6] and four people were detained.[5]
According to Chen Junling, Wei's brother-in-law, a protest outside Tianmen's city hall the day after Wei's death comprised thousands of people.[5]