Monday, March 1, 2021

Translation: Judgment in Case of Woman Jailed, Forced to Apologize for Insulting "Martyr" Firefighter

Intermediate People's Court of Yantai, Shandong

Civil Judgment

(2018) Lu 06 Civil First Instance No. 211

Public Interest Litigation Prosecutor: People's Procuratorate of Yantai, Shandong, located at **, Port City East Street, Laishan District, **Yantai, Shandong.

Legal Representative: Shao Ruching, Lead Procurator.

Delegated Litigation Agent: Wang Peng, male, Procurator of said Procuratorate.

Delegated Litigation Agent: Li Xiaobo, female, Procurator of said Procuratorate.

Defendant: Xu Chang, female, born February 28, 1994, Han ethnicity, unemployed, household registration in Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, normally residing in the Yantai Economic and Technological Development Zone.

On May 22, 2018, this Court opened a case in the matter of Public Interest Litigation Prosecutor the People's Procuratorate of Yantai, Shandong v. Defendant Xu Chang right of reputation public interest litigation case, and applied ordinary procedures in accordance with the law. On June 26, 2018, it convened public hearings to try this case. Delegated litigation agents Wang Peng and Li Xiaobo of Public Interest Litigation Prosecutor the People's Procuratorate of Yantai, Shandong and defendant Xu Chang appeared in court to participate in the proceedings. The trial in this case has now concluded.

The public interest litigation prosecutor raised the following request to this Court: In accordance with the law, sentence defendant Xu Chang to publicly apologize in mainstream media, mitigate the impact, and restore the reputation of the martyr.

Facts and Reasons: On April 21, 2018, a fire broke out at a plant belonging to the Beijing Fuqin Edible Mushroom Technology Company Ltd. in Derenwu Village, Yongledian Township, Tongzhou District, Beijing. After receiving the alarm, the Beijing 119 command center quickly dispatched 6 detachments, 10 squadrons, 53 fire engines, and 350 firefighters to the scene to deal with the situation. After receiving the dispatch order, Zhang Xin immediately got dressed and boarded a vehicle, and he and his comrades quickly drove to the scene of the fire.

An investigation into the fire determined that the fire started in a building dedicated to the storage of cultivated mushroom strains. That internal space was a broad expanse, and high temperature smoke spread through strong convection. In a very short period of time there was a large area of combustion, and the fire spread through the building as a whole from the inside out. Once the fire spread, it became a direct threat to the lives and property of the people living in the adjacent village located downwind. At a critical moment, Zhang Xin braved the smoke and fire in disregard of his personal safety, quickly carrying more than 30 kilograms of firefighting and rescue equipment to the main attack point on the south side of the fire, laying a water belt trunk, and opening up attack positions to intercept the spread of the fire. While making an all-out attack, the south side of the factory wall suddenly collapsed and Zhang Xin, who was trying his best to provide support, was knocked down by the wall and buried in the rubble.

For five hours medical personnel made every effort at resuscitation, but Zhang Xin's injuries were too severe, and he made a hero's sacrifice. Zhang Xin gave his life taking purposeful action against the fire, exhibiting the heroic spirit of a firefighter by standing up at the critical moment and showing selfless and fearless dedication in the face of disaster. He was a youth who had only 23 years of precious life, and he fulfilled the oath of a red door guard.

On April 24, 2018, Zhang Xin was designated by the government of Beijing as a martyr.

On the evening of April 29, 2018, Xu Chang used her mobile phone to log into "Sina Weibo" and posted "I heard that the dead firefighter was a native of Tongzhou, Beijing? Well, they deserve it, Beijingers deserve to die! I heard that a Beijing family of five died in the Hualien earthquake in Taiwan? Well, even more deserved ......" Xu Chang stated that she saw other Internet users use Weibo to repost screenshots of the aforementioned Weibo. The Internet user's Weibo was reposted more than 1,000 times, with 666 comments.

On April 30, 2018, Xu Chang remained unrepentant, even after seeing Internet users criticizing and condemning her. After her Weibo account was frozen by Sina.com on April 29, she used her WeChat ID to log into another Weibo account "Chang Chang cc loves you" to post: "It’s my obligatory duty to anger the people of the capital. If you are Mr. Fireman or if you're from some other place, I absolutely respect you. But if you're a Beijinger, don’t blame me for gloating. Just take a look at what people from your home town are saying, ha ha."

Xu Chang's aforementioned Weibo was screenshotted by Internet users and reposted and commented on in large numbers. It spread widely, aroused the indignation of Internet users and had a pernicious influence. On a single Weibo post by "Only My Brother Dong" posted on May 1, 2018, screenshots of Xu Chang's Weibo were reposted 516 times.

On May 1, 2018, police officers from the Economic and Technological Development Zone Branch of the Public Security Bureau of Yantai contacted Xu Chang by phone and told her to come to the precinct to explain her version of events. On May 2, Xu Chang came to the Jinqiao police precinct to be questioned in the investigation. On May 4, in accordance with the law the Economic and Technological Development Zone Branch of the Public Security Bureau of Yantai subjected Xu Chang to an administrative punishment of five days administrative detention for disturbing the peace.

On May 16, 2018, in order to determine whether to file a civil lawsuit against Xu Chang for infringing on the right of reputation of martyr Zhang Xin, the prosecution agency sought the opinion of martyr Zhang Xin's next of kin. Martyr Zhang Xin's next of kin said they would not file a civil lawsuit.

The public interest litigation prosecutor believes that heroes are the backbone of the nation's people, and martyr Zhang Xin's heroic deeds embody the spirit of fearless sacrifice of disregarding ones own life in the face of death and taking fires head on, putting the core values of socialism into practice. They are a powerful force that inspires us to move forward courageously in the process of socialist modernization. Glory shall be our heritage. Martyrs may not be sullied. Every citizen has the obligation and responsibility to conscientiously uphold social morality and the people's righteousness.

Xu Chang posted a Weibo on the Internet that blatantly insulted a martyr, and his Weibo was screenshotted by Internet users and forwarded and commented on in large numbers, causing a pernicious influence. Xu Chang's behavior not only infringed on the personal dignity and right of reputation of martyr Zhang Xin, but also seriously hurt the feelings of martyr Zhang Xin friends and family, and the public. It was a rejection of China's mainstream social values and harmed the public interest. In accordance with Article 185 of the General Principles of Civil Law of the People's Republic of China, Articles 25 and 26 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs, and Articles 2 and 36 of the Tort Law of the People's Republic of China, Xu Chang should be held liable for the infringement of his behavior of posting Weibos on the Internet and insulting a firefighting martyr. In order to protect the public interest, and in accordance with Article 25 of the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs" and other legal provisions, we hereby file a civil public interest lawsuit, and ask for sentenced to be passed in accordance with the law.

Xu Chang replied pleading that her act of insulting Zhang Xin, a firefighting martyr in Tongzhou, Beijing, on Sina Weibo was wrong and illegal. Martyr Zhang Xin died in course of protecting people's lives and property, disregarding his own safety, and should not be insulted. To do so is disrespectful to life itself, and has a chilling effect on those who hear it. I would like to express my sincerest apologies again and hope that you will understand. In the future, I will pay attention to the study of legal knowledge, pay attention to the promotion of the deeds of heroes and martyrs. I will be a person imbued with positive energy.

This Court organized the parties to exchange evidence and examine evidence around the evidence submitted by the parties in accordance with the law. This Court confirmed and corroborated the evidence that was not contested by the parties.

Based on the parties' statements and the evidence that has been examined and confirmed, this Court finds the facts as follows:

On April 21, 2018, a fire broke out at a plant belonging to Beijing Fuqin Edible Mushroom Technology Company Ltd. in Derenwu Village, Yongledian Township, Tongzhou District, Beijing. After receiving the alarm, the Beijing 119 command center quickly dispatched 6 detachments, 10 squadrons, 53 fire engines, and 350 firefighters to the scene to deal with the situation. After receiving the dispatch order, Zhang Xin immediately got dressed and boarded a vehicle, and he and his comrades quickly drove to the scene of the fire.

An investigation into the fire determined that the fire started in a building dedicated to the storage of cultivated mushroom strains. That internal space was a broad expanse, and high temperature smoke spread through strong convection. In a very short period of time there was a large area of combustion, and the fire spread through the building as a whole from the inside out. Once the fire spread, it became a direct threat to the lives and property of the people living in the adjacent village located downwind. At a critical moment, Zhang Xin braved the smoke and fire in disregard of his personal safety, quickly carrying more than 30 kilograms of firefighting and rescue equipment to the main attack point on the south side of the fire, laying a water belt trunk, and opening up attack positions to intercept the spread of the fire. While making an all-out attack, the south side of the factory wall suddenly collapsed and Zhang Xin, who was trying his best to provide support, was knocked down by the wall and buried in the rubble.

For five hours medical personnel made every effort at resuscitation, but Zhang Xin's injuries were too severe, and he made a hero's sacrifice. Zhang Xin gave his life taking purposeful action against the fire, exhibiting the heroic spirit of a firefighter by standing up at the critical moment and showing selfless and fearless dedication in the face of disaster. He was a youth who had only 23 years of precious life, and he fulfilled the oath of a red door guard.

On April 24, 2018, Zhang Xin was designated by the government of Beijing as a martyr.

On the evening of April 29, 2018, Xu Chang used his mobile phone to log into "Sina Weibo" and posted "I heard that the dead firefighter was a native of Tongzhou, Beijing? Well, they deserve it, Beijingers deserve to die! I heard that a Beijing family of five died in the Hualien earthquake in Taiwan? Well, even more deserved ......" Xu Chang stated that he saw other Internet users use Weibo to repost screenshots of the aforementioned Weibo. The Internet user's Weibo was reposted more than 1,000 times, with 666 comments.

On April 30, 2018, Xu Chang remained unrepentant, even after seeing Internet users criticizing and condemning her. After her Weibo account was frozen by Sina.com on April 29, she used herWeChat ID to log into another Weibo account "Chang Chang cc loves you" to post: "It’s my obligatory duty to anger the people of the capital. If you are Mr. Fireman or if you're from some other place, I absolutely respect you. But if you're a Beijinger, don’t blame me for gloating. Just take a look at what people from your home town are saying, ha ha."

Xu Chang's aforementioned Weibo was screenshotted by Internet users and reposted and commented on in large numbers. It spread widely, aroused the indignation of Internet users and had a pernicious influence. On a single Weibo post by "Only My Brother Dong" posted on May 1, 2018, screenshots of Xu Chang's Weibo were reposted 516 times.

On May 1, 2018, police officers from the Economic and Technological Development Zone Branch of the Public Security Bureau of Yantai contacted Xu Chang by phone and told her to come to the precinct to explain her version of events. On May 2, Xu Chang came to the Jinqiao police precinct to be questioned in the investigation. On May 4, in accordance with the law the Economic and Technological Development Zone Branch of the Public Security Bureau of Yantai subjected Xu Chang to an administrative punishment of five days administrative detention for disturbing the peace.

On May 16, 2018, in order to determine whether to file a civil lawsuit against Xu Chang for infringing on the right of reputation of martyr Zhang Xin, the prosecution agency sought the opinion of martyr Zhang Xin's next of kin. Martyr Zhang Xin's next of kin said they would not file a civil lawsuit.

During the trial, Xu Chang submitted a written apology statement to this Court, which was confirmed by this Court with the consent of the public interest litigation prosecutor. The apology statement submitted by Xu Chang will be published in news media outlets at or above the provincial level after the trial.

This Court finds that heroes are the backbone of the nation's people. The spiritual values embodied by the glorious deeds of heroes and martyrs are the common historical memory of the Chinese nation, the common values that all Chinese people pursue, and an important source from which socialist core values spring. Martyr Zhang Xin's heroic deeds embody the spirit of fearless sacrifice of disregarding ones own life in the face of death and taking fires head on, putting the core values of socialism into practice. They are a powerful force that inspires us to move forward courageously in the process of socialist modernization. Glory shall be our heritage. Martyrs may not be sullied. Every citizen has the obligation and responsibility to conscientiously uphold social morality and the people's righteousness.

Article 185 of the "General Principles of the Civil Law of the People's Republic of China" provides that "Those who infringe on the names, portraits, reputation, or honor of heroes, martyrs, etc., and harm the public interests of society, shall bear civil liability."

Article 15 of the "Tort Law of the People's Republic of China" provides that "The methods of assuming tort liabilities shall include: 1. cessation of infringement; ... 7. apology; . . . The above methods of assuming the tort liability may be adopted individually or jointly."

Defendant Xu Chang used Internet microblogging to publish inaccurate statements of an insulting nature, blatantly insulting a martyr and distorting the facts of the martyr's heroic sacrifice, and her microblogging was screenshotted by Internet users and widely reposted and commented on, causing a pernicious influence. The negative impact on the spirit of martyr Zhang Xin has exceeded the scope of China's citizens' freedom of expression and constitutes an infringement of the martyr's reputation. Xu Chang's behavior not only infringed on the personal dignity and right of reputation of martyr Zhang Xin, but also seriously hurt the feelings of martyr Zhang Xin friends and family, and the public. It was a rejection of China's mainstream social values and harmed the public interest.  In accordance with the law she should bear civil liability for infringement of reputation.

Article 25 of the "Law of the People's Republic of China on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs" provides that "Where there is infringement of the name, portrait, reputation, and honor of heroes and martyrs, the close relatives of heroes and martyrs may in accordance with the law file a lawsuit with a People's Court. Where heroic martyrs do not have close relatives, or where close relatives do not file a lawsuit, and the infringement of the heroes and martyrs name, portrait, reputation, and honor damages the public interest, prosecuting agencies shall in accordance with the law file a lawsuit with a People's Court." Article 26 provides that "Anyone who infringes on the name, portrait, reputation, or honor of heroes and martyrs by insult, defamation or other means, harms the public interests of society, and shall bear civil liability in accordance with the law."

In this case, on April 29, Xu Chang posted false remarks through her Weibo account, insulting and defaming the heroic deeds of martyr Zhang Xin, and continued to post false remarks through another Weibo account on April 30. Later, screenshots including  Xu Chang's Weibo were forwarded and viewed in large numbers, and the consequences of the infringement continued until May 2, when she was summoned for interrogation by the public security agency in accordance with the law.

The following facts are clear based on conclusive evidence and a firm legal grounding, and are affirmed by this Court in accordance with the law: Given that Zhang Xin’s close relatives did not file a lawsuit, and based on the provisions of Articles 25 and 26 of the "Law on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs of the People’s Republic of China," the Public Interest Litigation Litigant the People’s Procuratorate of Yantai, Shandong filed a lawsuit in the People's Court against defendant Xu Chang for her acts that infringed upon the reputation of the heroic martyr Zhang Xin and harming the public interest, requesting the defendant Xu Chang to publicly apologize in the mainstream media, mitigate the impact, and restore the reputation of the martyr.

Sina.com, as the network service provider of the defendant Xu Chang's Weibo account, took the necessary measures to freeze the account in a timely manner after discovering the situation, to avoid further expansion of the pernicious influence, and should not bear civil liability for the actions of the defendant Xu Chang.

In summary, given that this case is a public interest litigation case filed by the prosecution agency in accordance with the law which involves public interest and has a large impact, this Court in accordance with the law formed a seven-person collegial panel to hear the case. In accordance with the provisions of Article 185 the "General Provisions of the Civil Law People's Republic of China," articles 2, 15, and 36 of the "Tort Law of the People’s Republic of China," articles 25 and 26 of the "Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs," and articles 15(1), 16(1)(ii), 20 and 22 of the "People’s Assessor Law of the People’s Republic of China," the judgment is as follows:

Defendant Xu Chang shall publicly apologize in news media outlets at or above the provincial level within ten days after this judgment becomes effective. If defendant Xu Chang refuses to do so, the Intermediate People’s Court of Yantai, Shandong Province will publish the main content of this judgment in news media outlets at or above the provincial level, with the expenses to be borne by defendant Xu Chang.

The case acceptance fee of 50 yuan shall be borne by defendant Xu Chang.

If any party does not accept this judgment, they may within 15 days after the second day after receiving this written judgment submit an appeal brief to this Court along with the number of copies of the appeal brief conforming to the number of parties, and bring an appeal to the High People's Court of Shandong.

Chief Adjudicator    Qu Zhentao
Adjudicator              Lu Xiaohui
Adjudicator              Li An

People's Assessor    Zhang Shaotang
People's Assessor    Zhou Songjiu
People's Assessor    Shi Lina
People's Assessor    Xu Jianchun

June 26, 2018

Clerk            Yu Jiaxin

山东省烟台市中级人民法院

民 事 判 决 书

(2018)鲁06民初211号

公益诉讼起诉人:山东省烟台市人民检察院,住所地山东省烟台市莱山区港城东大街**。
法定代表人:邵汝卿,检察长。
委托诉讼代理人:王鹏,男,该院检察员。
委托诉讼代理人:李晓波,女,该院助理检察员。
被告:徐畅,女,1994年2月28日出生,汉族,无业,户籍所在地黑龙江省佳木斯市,经常居住地烟台经济技术开发区。
公益诉讼起诉人山东省烟台市人民检察院与被告徐畅名誉权公益诉讼一案,本院于2018年5月22日立案后,依法适用普通程序,于2018年6月26日公开开庭进行了审理,公益诉讼起诉人山东省烟台市人民检察院的委托诉讼代理人王鹏、李晓波,被告徐畅到庭参加诉讼。本案现已审理终结。
公益诉讼起诉人向本院提出诉讼请求:依法判令被告徐畅在主流媒体上公开赔礼道歉,消除影响,恢复烈士名誉。事实与理由:2018年4月21日,北京市通州区永乐店镇德仁务村北京富勤食用菌科技有限公司厂房突发火灾。接警后,北京市119指挥中心迅速调派6个支队、10个中队、53辆消防车、350名消防员赶赴现场进行处置。接到调派命令后,张鑫立即着装登车,和战友们一起迅速奔赴火灾现场。经火情侦查,起火建筑为培养蘑菇菌种的专用库房,内部空间跨度大,高温浓烟通过强对流作用,在极短时间内形成大面积燃烧,建筑整体由内而外形成立体燃烧态势。火势一旦蔓延,将直接威胁下风方向毗邻村庄人民群众的生命财产安全。在危难关头,张鑫不顾个人安危,冒着浓烟烈火,第一时间背负起30余公斤重的灭火救援装备,在火场南侧的主攻方向,铺设水带干线,开辟攻坚灭火阵地,全力阻截火势蔓延。强攻近战中,厂区南侧墙体突然倒塌,正在全力扑救的张鑫被墙体砸倒,埋压在碎砖瓦砾之中。经医护人员5个小时的全力抢救,张鑫因伤势过重,抢救无效壮烈牺牲。张鑫以舍生忘死、逆火前行的实际行动,诠释了消防队员在关键时刻挺身而出的英雄气魄,展示出在灾难面前无私无畏的奉献精神,用年仅23岁的年轻宝贵生命,践行了红门卫士的铮铮誓言。2018年4月24日,张鑫被北京市政府评定为烈士。2018年4月29日晚,徐畅通过本人手机用其手机号码登陆“新浪微博”并发布“听说死的是北京通州籍消防员?嗯嗯,活该,北京人该死!听说台湾花莲地震时,死的是北京籍一家五口咯?嗯嗯,更活该……”的微博。徐畅自述其看到其他网友用微博转发上述微博截图,该网友的微博被转发了1000多次,评论666条。2018年4月30日徐畅看到网友对其批评和谴责后仍不思悔改,在其4月29日发布微博的账号被冻结情况下,又用其微信登陆另一微博账号并发布“气死首都人民群众是我义不容辞的责任,如果消防员叔叔,您是外地人的话,我绝对尊重您,但是你要是北京人,别怪我幸灾乐祸,看看你的老乡的言论,呵呵”的微博。徐畅上述微博被网友截图并大量转发和评论,传播广泛,引发了网友愤慨,造成了恶劣影响。仅网友“唯我冬哥”于2018年5月1日发布的包含徐畅微博截图内容的微博就被转发516次。2018年5月1日,烟台市公安局经济技术开发区分局民警电话通知徐畅到该局向其了解有关情况。5月2日,徐畅到该局金桥派出所接受询问调查。5月4日徐畅因寻衅滋事被烟台市公安局经济技术开发区分局依法处以行政拘留5日的行政处罚。2018年5月16日,就是否对徐畅侵害张鑫烈士名誉权的行为提起民事诉讼,检察机关征求了张鑫烈士近亲属的意见。张鑫烈士近亲属表示不提起民事诉讼。公益诉讼起诉人认为,英雄是民族的脊梁,张鑫烈士的英雄事迹体现了舍生忘死、逆火前行的大无畏牺牲精神,用实际行动践行了社会主义核心价值观,是激励我们在社会主义现代化建设过程中奋勇前行的强大力量。光荣,应当传承;烈士,不容玷污。每个公民都有自觉维护社会公德,维护人民大义的义务和责任。徐畅在互联网发布微博,公然辱骂烈士,其微博被网友截图并大量转发和评论,造成了恶劣影响。徐畅的行为不仅侵害了张鑫烈士的人格尊严和名誉权利,而且严重伤害了张鑫烈士亲友及社会公众的情感,是对我国社会主流价值观的否定,损害了社会公共利益。根据《中华人民共和国民法总则》第一百八十五条、《中华人民共和国英雄烈士保护法》第二十五条、第二十六条、《中华人民共和国侵权责任法》第二条、第三十六条的相关规定,徐畅对其在互联网发布微博,辱骂消防烈士的行为应承担相应的侵权责任。为维护社会公共利益,根据《中华人民共和国英雄烈士保护法》第二十五条等法律规定,特提起民事公益诉讼,请依法裁判。
徐畅答辩称,其在新浪微博上发表侮辱北京市通州区消防烈士张鑫的行为是错误的,也是违法的。张鑫烈士是因为保护人民生命和财产的安全,不顾自己的安危才牺牲的,不应该对其进行侮辱,这是对生命本身的不尊重,更让听到的人感到寒心。在这里再次表达最诚挚的歉意,希望大家能谅解。在今后的生活中,会注意对法律知识的学习,注意弘扬英雄烈士的事迹,做一个有正能量的人。
当事人围绕诉讼请求依法提交的证据,本院组织当事人进行了证据交换和质证。对当事人无异议的证据,本院予以确认并在卷佐证。
根据当事人陈述和经审查确认的证据,本院认定事实如下:
2018年4月21日,北京市通州区永乐店镇德仁务村北京富勤食用菌科技有限公司厂房突发火灾。接警后,北京市119指挥中心迅速调派6个支队、10个中队、53辆消防车、350名消防员赶赴现场进行处置。接到调派命令后,张鑫立即着装登车,和战友们一起迅速奔赴火灾现场。经火情侦查,起火建筑为培养蘑菇菌种的专用库房,内部空间跨度大,高温浓烟通过强对流作用,在极短时间内形成大面积燃烧,建筑整体由内而外形成立体燃烧态势。火势一旦蔓延,将直接威胁下风方向毗邻村庄人民群众的生命财产安全。在危难关头,张鑫不顾个人安危,冒着浓烟烈火,第一时间背负起30余公斤重的灭火救援装备,在火场南侧的主攻方向,铺设水带干线,开辟攻坚灭火阵地,全力阻截火势蔓延。强攻近战中,厂区南侧墙体突然倒塌,正在全力扑救的张鑫被墙体砸倒,埋压在碎砖瓦砾之中。经医护人员5个小时的全力抢救,张鑫因伤势过重,抢救无效壮烈牺牲。张鑫以舍生忘死、逆火前行的实际行动,诠释了消防队员在关键时刻挺身而出的英雄气魄,展示出在灾难面前无私无畏的奉献精神,用年仅23岁的年轻宝贵生命,践行了红门卫士的铮铮誓言。2018年4月24日,张鑫被北京市政府评定为烈士。
2018年4月29日晚,徐畅通过本人手机使用其手机号码登陆“新浪微博”以“北京人是畜生”微博帐号发布“听说死的是北京通州籍消防员?嗯嗯,活该,北京人该死!听说台湾花莲地震时,死的是北京籍一家五口咯?嗯嗯,更活该……”的微博。徐畅认可看到其他网友用微博转发上述微博截图,该网友微博被转发了1000多次,评论666条。2018年4月30日,徐畅看到网友对其批评和谴责后仍不思悔改,在其4月29日发布微博的账号被新浪网的冻结情况下,又用其微信登陆另一微博账号“畅畅cc爱你”发布“气死首都人民群众是我义不容辞的责任,如果消防员叔叔,您是外地人的话,我绝对尊重您,但是你要是北京人,别怪我幸灾乐祸,看看你的老乡的言论,呵呵”的微博。徐畅上述微博被网友截图并大量转发和评论,传播广泛,引发了网友愤慨,造成了恶劣影响。仅网友“唯我冬哥”于2018年5月1日发布的包含徐畅微博截图内容的微博就被转发516次。
2018年5月1日,烟台市公安局经济技术开发区分局民警电话通知徐畅到该局向其了解有关情况。5月2日,徐畅到该局金桥派出所接受询问调查。5月4日,徐畅因寻衅滋事被烟台市公安局经济技术开发区分局依法处以行政拘留5日的行政处罚。
2018年5月16日,就是否对徐畅侵害张鑫烈士名誉权的行为提起民事诉讼,检察机关征求了张鑫烈士近亲属的意见。张鑫烈士近亲属表示不提起民事诉讼。
审理中,徐畅向本院提交了书面道歉声明文稿内容,经公益诉讼起诉人同意,本院审核予以确认。徐畅提交的道歉声明将于庭后在省级以上新闻媒体公开发布。
本院认为,英雄是民族的脊梁。英雄烈士的光荣事迹所承载的精神价值,是中华民族共同的历史记忆,是全体中国人民共同的价值追求,是社会主义核心价值观的重要源泉。张鑫烈士的英雄事迹体现了一名消防战士舍生忘死、逆火前行的大无畏牺牲精神,用实际行动践行了社会主义核心价值观,是激励广大人民群众在社会主义现代化建设中奋勇前行的强大力量。光荣,应当传承;烈士,不容玷污。每个公民都有自觉维护社会公德,维护人民大义的责任。
《中华人民共和国民法总则》第一百八十五条规定,“侵害英雄烈士等的姓名,肖像、名誉、荣誉,损害社会公共利益的,应当承担民事责任。”《中华人民共和国侵权责任法》第十五条规定,“承担侵权责任的方式主要有:(一)停止侵害;…(七)赔礼道歉;…以上承担侵权责任的方式,可以单独适用,也可以合并适用。”被告徐畅利用互联网微博发表带有侮辱性质的不实言论,公然辱骂烈士,歪曲烈士英勇牺牲的事实,其微博被网友截图并大量转发和评论,造成恶劣影响。其对张鑫烈士精神造成的负面影响,已经超出了我国公民言论自由的范畴,构成对烈士名誉的侵害。徐畅的行为不仅侵害了张鑫烈士的名誉权利,而且严重伤害了张鑫烈士亲友及社会公众的情感,是对我国社会主流价值观的否定,对社会公德的严重挑战,损害了社会公共利益,依法应当承担名誉侵权的民事责任。
《中华人民共和国英雄烈士保护法》第二十五条规定,“对侵害英雄烈士的姓名、肖像、名誉、荣誉的行为,英雄烈士的近亲属可以依法向人民法院提起诉讼。英雄烈士没有近亲属或者近亲属不提起诉讼的,检察机关依法对侵害英雄烈士的姓名、肖像、名誉、荣誉,损害社会公共利益的行为向人民法院提起诉讼。”第二十六条规定,“以侮辱、诽谤或者其他方式侵害英雄烈士的姓名、肖像、名誉、荣誉,损害社会公共利益的,依法承担民事责任……”本案中,徐畅4月29日通过微博账号发布不实言论,侮辱、诽谤张鑫烈士的英雄事迹,4月30日又通过另一微博账号继续发布不实言论。之后,包含徐畅微博截图内容的微博被大量转发浏览,侵权后果一直持续至5月2日被公安机关依法传讯。在张鑫烈士近亲属不提起诉讼的情况下,公益诉讼起诉人山东省烟台市人民检察院依据《中华人民共和国英雄烈士保护法》第二十五条、二十六条之规定,就被告徐畅侵害英雄烈士张鑫的名誉损害社会公共利益的行为向人民法院提起诉讼,要求被告徐畅在主流媒体上公开赔礼道歉,消除影响,恢复烈士名誉的事实清楚,证据确凿,于法有据,本院依法予以支持。新浪网作为被告徐畅微博帐号的网络服务提供者,在发现情况后及时采取冻结帐号的必要措施,避免了恶劣影响的进一步扩大,对被告徐畅的行为不应承担民事责任。
综上,鉴于本案系由检察机关依法提起的公益诉讼案件,涉及公共利益且影响较大,本院依法组成七人合议庭审理此案。根据《中华人民共和国民法总则》第一百八十五条、《中华人民共和国侵权责任法》第二条、第十五条、第三十六条及《中华人民共和国英雄烈士保护法》第二十五条、第二十六条、《中华人民共和国人民陪审员法》第十五条第一款、第十六条第一款(二)项、第二十条及第二十二条之规定,判决如下:
被告徐畅于本判决生效后十日内在省级以上新闻媒体公开赔礼道歉。如被告徐畅拒不履行,山东省烟台市中级人民法院将在省级以上新闻媒体公布本判决的主要内容,相关费用由被告徐畅承担。
案件受理费50元,由被告徐畅负担。
如不服本判决,可在判决书送达之日起十五日内,向本院递交上诉状,并按对方当事人的人数提出副本,上诉于山东省高级人民法院。
审 判 长  曲振涛
审 判 员  鲁晓辉
审 判 员  李 安
人民陪审员  张少棠
人民陪审员  周松久
人民陪审员  史丽娜
人民陪审员  徐建春
二〇一八年六月二十六日
书 记 员  于佳昕

Translation: Xu Zhiyong's Statement in His Own Defense

 Source: https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/694913.html China Digital Times: On April 10, 2023, Xu Zhiyong, a well-known human rights de...