Chen: 'Lawless' Chinese Officials Must Be Punished

Chen Guangcheng says that even if he leaves China, he will not abandon his quest for the rule of law to prevail in his home province, Shandong. The central government must investigate and punish the officials who jailed him on false charges and kept him under illegal house arrest for 19 months, where he and his family were abused, he insists. "No matter who the official, no matter how high the official, no matter how many people are implicated, they must all be dealt with strictly according to the law," the blind dissident tells Reuters.

Chen says the "public security organs, procuratorial organs, and people's courts are absolutely lawless in Shandong province," and despite the attention his case is now receiving, he fears for the safety of family members still in his home village. Chen says he has spoken to government officials who have promised to investigate his accusations. The village remains locked down, and journalists who have tried to visit have been turned away. Chen says he believes that Beijing will honor its end of a deal allowing him to leave the country and study in the US, reports AP. (More Chen Guangcheng stories.)