A Chinese court has handed down a two-and-a-half year jail sentence to a man who organised a website for parents of children who became ill from drinking tainted milk after his own son became sick.
The court found Zhao Lianhai guilty of "inciting social disorder", his wife Li Xuemei told Reuters.
"Of course we cannot accept this. We will appeal. This is something we have to do," Li said by telephone after the verdict was read out in a Beijing court.
Zhao founded "Kidney Stone Babies" in 2008 to provide information and resources for parents after about 300,000 Chinese infants were taken ill, with some 50,000 hospitalised, after drinking milk formula deliberately tainted with melamine. At least six babies died.
Police formally arrested Zhao last December, charging him with the crime of picking quarrels and provoking trouble. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
"He has already been in jail almost a year. It's so unfair," Li added.
Amnesty International condemned the sentence.
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