Police defend arrest of outspoken AIDS patient
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Police denied claims Wednesday that the arrest of a 23-year-old AIDS patient and activist was related to the man's ongoing campaign to call attention to the plight of people like him.
Tian Xi's actions have reportedly angered local authorities in Henan Province and some believe it was the reason for his arrest last month.
A police officer surnamed Dong from Xincai police bureau told the Global Times Wednesday that Tian was arrested for "intentionally damaging property" inside a hospital and that his case was forwarded to prosecutors. He apparently became angry when the hospital official denied any responsibility for giving his AIDS infection.
Tian was about 9 years old when he was in an accident that left him with a mild concussion, and doctors at the local Xincai People's Hospital gave him a blood transfusion, Tian's father told the Global Times Wednesday.
He was tested HIV positive in 2004 and had since become an AIDS activist. He has been lobbying for those responsible to provide compensation to thousands of people like himself who have contracted HIV through irresponsible medical procedures. Dong said the local government has provided a doctor for Tian in response to reports that said Tian was denied medication. Tian's father said his son received a blood transfusion only once in his lifetime.
He accepted 30,000 yuan ($4,404) in compensation from Gulü township government, but Tian feels that the hospital where he had the blood transfusion should also take responsibility.
Tian began a petition and even contacted authorities in Beijing until a local official in Xincai, which has jurisdiction over Gulu, asked him to return home to discuss further compensation. After failing to meet this official, Tian visited the hospital in Xincai.
His father said the hospital told them it was not their responsibility.
An angry Tian then destroyed unspecified items in the hospital president's office. He was detained August 18.
Tian's arrests captured the attention of many social services groups in China, which published open letters appealing for the activist's release.
