BEIJING —The Chinese government has officially refused on Sunday, Oct. 11 the request of more than a hundred U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives who wrote to urge the release of dissident Yang Jianli.

According to Yang’s family lawyer, 21 senators and 85 U.S. representatives co-signed a petition letter the prior Wednesday, hoping that the Chinese government would release Yang as he becomes eligible for parole on Oct 26.

A spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Oct. 11 that Yang was sentenced to 5 years in prison for spying and illegal entry based on clear facts and evidence.

Dr. Yang is the chairman of the Boston-based Foundation for China in the 21st Century, a nonprofit think tank that promotes constitutional democracy for China. He is a well-known leader of the Chinese Democracy movement.

In 2002, Dr. Yang was refused entry into China, so he used his friend’s passport to enter. After meeting with some dissidents and laid-off workers, he was detained by the Chinese government.