Zhao Lianhai is a Chinese dissident and former food safety worker who became an activist for parents of children harmed during the 2008 Chinese milk scandal.
13 Facts About Zhao Lianhai
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Zhao Lianhai used to work for the Food Quality and Safety Authority of China.
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Zhao Lianhai's son, Pengrui, was born in late 2005 and became ill as a result of drinking tainted milk.
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Zhao Lianhai called for a national memorial day for the victims.
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Zhao Lianhai held a memorial ceremony in his home for parents of harmed children.
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Zhao Lianhai pushed for increased research into the number of kidney stone babies.
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In 2009, Zhao Lianhai posted a petition arguing against accepting the government's compensation plan as inadequate, and not created in consultation with parents.
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Zhao Lianhai's case was handed to prosecutors in early 2010.
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Zhao Lianhai was tried at Daxing district court in Beijing where he was legally represented by Li Fangping and Peng Jian.
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From September 2008 to September 2009, Zhao Lianhai used 'protecting rights' as well as the Sanlu milk powder issue as an excuse to hype and agitate people who did not know the truth to disturb social order.
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Zhao Lianhai was named as a political prisoner by the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and as a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.
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Zhao Lianhai was released on medical parole, which normally allows freedom of movement, subject to regular reports to the local police.
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Zhao Lianhai then made a controversial statement that "well water should not mix with river water ".