Who is Zhang Zhan? Zhang Zhan is a 42-year-old former lawyer and native of Shaanxi province. While in prison, Zhang went on periodic hunger strike to protest against her conviction and treatment. Upon her release from prison, Zhang had limited contact with her supporters and is thought to have lived under close police surveillance, which is common practice for critics of government. Zhang was detained again in August 2024, and formally arrested in November, again on charges of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”.