Li Hai was a student in Beijing at the time of the pro-democracy movement. His objectives, to advance democracy in China and defend human rights, led ultimately to a nine-year prison sentence which he is still serving. The activities which led the authorities to target him began after he had been detained for a year in the wake of protests in Beijing during which thousands were killed.
He emerged from prison unable to find work or continue his studies. Instead, he began to investigate the cases of his fellow students who were still detained. He collated names, dates, sentences and places of detention in an effort to monitor human rights violations.
According to Amnesty International, his activities included organising petitions calling on the Chinese authorities to implement reforms. This earned him several periods in detention but still Li Hai continued his work.
In July 1995 he was arrested and charged with "hooliganism" - this was later changed to "leaking state secrets," a charge which was rejected by the courts. Undeterred, the authorities then amended the charge to "prying into state secrets" and Li Hai was convicted and sentenced to nine years.
Amnesty maintain that several irregularities support the view that Li Hai did not get a fair trial. Since 1991, increasing numbers have been imprisoned on similar charges in China. Last year Li Hai's appeal against his sentence was rejected.