vigilant TV

The Chinese government has sentenced eight Falun Gong members to up to 13 years in prison for a pirate TV broadcast in May 2002.

The Hefei Intermediate Court recently upheld a lower court’s decision to give the followers sentences of between five to 13 years, Xinhua said Saturday.

The Hefei court based its decision on evidence that the eight purchased tools and equipment which helped them take over TV and radio signals at 9 p.m. on May 31 to publicize the movement, Xinhua said, without elaborating.

At least 3,900 households were affected during the 30-minute blackout, during which pirate transmissions touting the benefits of the group were played, Xinhua said.

China has said that such transmissions have “disrupted the public order” and go against international communications standards.

– AP, Falun Gong jailed for media hacking.