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Supreme Court defines what constitutes false terror threats
Print Edition
The Supreme People’s Court of China has issued explanations on what should be classed as false terror threats, specifying harsh punishments for such crimes following several recent cases said to have caused public panic.
The explanations define the range of false terror information, including threats of explosion, biological and radioactive threats, major disasters and epidemic situations that can seriously threaten public security and may cause social panic or public security crises.
Those involved in fabricating and deliberately spreading false terrorist threats will receive punishments ranging from detention to a jail term of up to five years, or more for those whose actions have severe consequences, Lyu Guanglun, an official with the Supreme People’s Court, told a press conference yesterday.
Heavier punishments will be given in some circumstances, including cases resulting in flights landing at alternate airports or returning, interruptions to the operation of trains, ships and other large passenger transport vehicles, direct economic losses over 200,000 yuan (US$32,700), serious disruption to daily life in townships or subdistricts; and the fabrication and deliberate spread of false terrorist threats.
The explanations, which come into effect today, come after a series of false terror threats, especially bomb threats targeting airlines.
Between May 15 and 18, there were six cases of fabricated bomb threats in China, causing plane diversions, emergency landings and delays to 22 flights in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, said Sun Jungong, a spokesman for the Supreme People’s Court.
China’s Criminal Law has no specific articles regulating terror hoaxes, meaning people making false terror threats are usually punished under the crime of disrupting social order, according to Chen Bin, a lawyer with the Beijing-based Guandao Law Firm.
The Criminal Law has previously failed to deter people from making false terror threats because their penalties are usually mitigated due to lack of specific law enforcement standards and criminals’ good attitude in court, Chen said.
According to the explanations, once flights have been delayed or security checks have to be carried out again due to false threats, those involved will face criminal charges. Any hoaxer causing direct economic losses above 500,000 yuan (US$81,700) to airliners will receive jail terms of more than five years.
People who make and spread terror threats to cause disorder or evacuation in airports, stations, ports, shopping malls and theaters will also face criminal charges.
Experts believe the enforcement of the judicial explanation will be conducive to maintaining social order during the National Day holiday from tomorrow to October 7, when millions of Chinese will travel across the country using public transport.
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