China's State Supervision Commission criticized the police for reprimanding the Chinese doctor who was the first to point out the new coronavirus at the end of last year "for spreading rumours", by consulting with his colleagues.
Dr. Li Wenliang later died of the virus, sparking grief from Chinese citizens and criticism of the government on social media.
Chinese media are reporting today that an investigation by the State Supervisory Commission, China's highest disciplinary body, found that the reprimand was inappropriate and called on the police to posthumously withdraw Dr. Li's punishment and to bring to justice those responsible for his apprehension and punishment.
The late Dr. Li, an eye doctor, was one of several medical workers detained in early January for spreading news about the then-unknown disease.
The authorities have been accused of covering up the beginning of the epidemic, which allowed the spread of the coronavirus and endangered health workers both in China and around the world.
China's Supreme Court later criticized the police, but the ruling Communist Party nevertheless tightened restrictions on publishing information about the epidemic.
Dr Li's death sparked criticism and a public attack on party censorship and accusations that officials lied or withheld information about disease outbreaks, as well as previously about dangerous products or financial fraud.
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