China human rights lawyer gets suspended sentence for online posts

A Beijing court has convicted a prominent Chinese human rights lawyer for online comments, giving him a suspended jail sentence.

The Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court found Pu, 50, guilty of “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, according to state-run broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).

The verdict, effectively a suspended sentence, is rare in such a political case in China, and some analysts said it might suggest court’s lack of confidence in the case against Pu.

The sentencing means that Pu will be monitored during the suspension period, with the possibility of a reduced sentence if he demonstrates good behaviour.

The overseas-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders’ (CHRD) network, which collates reports from rights groups operating inside China, hit out at the verdict against Pu, which comes amid a nationwide crackdown on rights lawyers.

Shang said Pu was relieved and would not appeal.

The charges Mr. Pu was convicted of Tuesday were based on messages he posted to the social-media site Weibo criticizing Beijing’s ethnic policies and slamming certain officials for being incompetent. The worldwide community, including the USA government, had criticized China for suppressing free speech by detaining Pu for 19 months without trial. But Mr Liang said the conviction also means that Pu will no longer be allowed to practise law.

Pu represented artist, Ai Weiwei in a tax evasion case that critics complained was politically motivated.

Since coming to power in 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping has spearheaded crackdowns on civil activists, rights lawyers and online freedom of expression, in moves aimed at snuffing out any potential threats to the Communist Party’s grip on power.

In the comments for which he was tried, Pu said China did not need Communist rule, writing: “Other than secrecy, cheating, passing the buck, delay, the hammer and sickle, what kinds of secrets of governance does this party have?”

“More than 20 lawyers have been put under secret detention since July 9 this year”, it said, adding that Pu’s colleague Xia Lin has been detained for more than a year.

“Clearly it is positive that Pu Zhiqiang is unlikely to spend another night in jail, yet that can not hide the gross injustice against him”, William Nee, China researcher for the group, said in a statement. They also say the posts were censored quickly, limiting their impact.

The US said it was concerned about the suspended sentence.

The state-run news agency Xinhua said yesterday that, during his trial, Pu had “acknowledged the crimes the prosecutors charged him with”.

Shang said Pu had not pleaded guilty.

Pu supporter Guan Jing said near the court.

Xinhua said Pu admitted to the actions and repented in court, but his lawyers said Pu only apologized for being impolite and insisted that he broke no law.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei rebuffed the concern, saying foreign governments had to respect China’s judicial sovereignty and not interfere.

Pu’s trial held on December 14 attracted worldwide media attention as Chinese police in plainclothes scuffled with diplomats and foreign journalists outside the courtroom.

It was unclear the extent of the restrictions that would be placed on Pu, though it is likely that he will be placed under police surveillance and prevented from speaking to reporters.