A 25-year-old unemployed man was jailed for three years on Wednesday for deliberately spreading false and sensational information about China's severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) situation over the Internet.
The No. 1 Intermediate People's Court of Beijing found that Huang Qunwei, a native of Beijing, had compiled two articles and published them several times on the websites www.Sohu.com and www.Xilu.com, from April 25 to 27.
The articles contained false information on the SARS situation in Shanghai and sensational claims that China had plunged into an economic crisis due to the disease. In his articles, Huang also incited the public to store food and other items.
Huang was arrested by police on May 3.
The court verdict said that Huang fabricated and deliberately spread false and horrific information at a time when the SARS situation in Beijing was severe, resulting in public detriment and social disorder.
The court verdict said Huang had to be punished harshly according to law.
Huang said he would not appeal.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2003)
