BEIJING (AP) -- A Chinese activist who was jailed for protesting a massive tainted milk scandal posted a message online Tuesday saying he's been released on medical parole, but his supporters say it may be a way to silence him.
Zhao Lianhai, whose son was among children sickened in one of China's worst food safety scandals, was sentenced last month to two-and-a-half years in prison for inciting social disorder. He had campaigned for compensation for families of those killed or sickened by milk and milk products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.
State media later said Zhao was seeking medical parole in a possible deal with authorities hoping to tamp public anger over his harsh sentence.
A message posted on a blog from Zhao's account Tuesday night said he had been released and wants to be left alone.
"I support and thank the government and I feel deeply sorry for the remarks I made against the government in the past," the message added.
Neither Zhao nor his wife could be reached to confirm the note.
Zhao first vowed to fight his conviction, said he would go on a hunger strike and signed legal forms for an appeal. But he later was under apparent pressure not to appeal and abruptly dismissed his lawyers.
Zhao Lianhai, whose son was among children sickened in one of China's worst food safety scandals, was sentenced last month to two-and-a-half years in prison for inciting social disorder. He had campaigned for compensation for families of those killed or sickened by milk and milk products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine.
State media later said Zhao was seeking medical parole in a possible deal with authorities hoping to tamp public anger over his harsh sentence.
A message posted on a blog from Zhao's account Tuesday night said he had been released and wants to be left alone.
"I support and thank the government and I feel deeply sorry for the remarks I made against the government in the past," the message added.
Neither Zhao nor his wife could be reached to confirm the note.
Zhao first vowed to fight his conviction, said he would go on a hunger strike and signed legal forms for an appeal. But he later was under apparent pressure not to appeal and abruptly dismissed his lawyers.
