He may have been released for a time in the early 1980's, but in 1982 he was sentenced to eight years in prison, again for counterrevolutionary crimes.

Most notable among today's revisions was the decision to abandon counterrevolutionary crimes as a legal category.

These extensions were brought about due to Ngawang 'committing counterrevolutionary crimes in prison'.

It also eliminated the overtly political category of "counterrevolutionary" crimes.

After his death he was accused of counterrevolutionary crimes, and his name was linked with the Lkhümbe case.

Amnesty International said that Wei Jingsheng, China's most prominent political prisoner, is reported to have died in prison while serving a 15-year sentence for "counterrevolutionary crimes."

The charges filed against the accused included mentions of "counterrevolutionary crimes" and organized action meant to "topple, undermine, or weaken the Soviet Union."

Mr. Wei is believed to have refused to repent for "counterrevolutionary" crimes he is accused of.

Last month, Mr. Wang was formally charged with counterrevolutionary crimes and sedition.

Article 58 of the legal code, which listed prohibited anti-Soviet activities as counterrevolutionary crime, was applied in the broadest manner.