Shi was convicted of “leaking state secrets,” after Yahoo provided information that allowed Chinese officials to link an e-mail about government orders to censor reports on the Tiananmen Square massacre to a work computer he had used.  He is currently seeking compensation from the Internet company for Yahoo Hong Kong and Yahoo China’s involvement in the events leading to his arrest.  Citing an obligation to comply with local law in order to avoid civil and criminal sanctions, Yahoo acknowledges having provided the requested information about Shi Tao to Chinese authorities.

Citing federal law that governs violations of international law, the World Organization for Human Rights USA filed an earlier lawsuit against Yahoo, its subsidiary, Yahoo Hong Kong, and its partner Alibaba.com that runs Yahoo China, claiming that they had aided the Chinese government in convicting dissidents.  In addition to unspecified damages, the Washington-based organization hopes that Yahoo will comply in securing the release of any detainees.

Source: the Washington Times