Dissident Chinese lawyer released after suspended sentence

Pu Zhiqiang was handed a suspended three-year prison sentence for inciting ethnic hatred and disturbing public order, a Beijing court ruled.

To be specific, Pu, 50, was charged with “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” for criticizing the party and its policies towards ethnic minorities.

Shan Baojun, Pu’s counsel, says that “it’s quite a disappointment that the authorities still believe Pu is guilty after we fought in the court for innocence”, he adds, “but it’s good he’s out of the jail”.

“The disgraceful police operation outside Pu Zhiqiang‘s trial only underscores why China needs defenders of free speech like Pu more than ever”, Nee said.

“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”, said William Nee, China researcher for Amnesty International.

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

Pu, who had joined the pro-democracy protests of 1989 as a student and became a lawyer after the Tiananmen Massacre, has defended high-profile activists, including artist Ai Weiwei, who has frequently criticized the ruling Communist Party and was detained for 81 days in 2011.

Mo said Pu was allowed to be with his wife but declined to disclose Pu’s exact location.

“Pu isn’t guilty”, Ai told Reuters from Italy by telephone. “He should receive an apology… and compensation”. “Pu Zhiqiang was sentenced to two years for one of the charges and one-and-a-half years for the other”.

Shang said Pu was relieved and would not appeal.

The trial was held last week. “He also said if there is an opportunity, history will deliver a true judgement”.

However, the court did find Pu guilty, accepting the Communist Party’s assertion.

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

“Having a criminal conviction means he can definitely never practise law again”, said lawyer Liang Xiaojun.

“We urge the Chinese authorities to restore all of Mr Pu’s rights and permit him to resume his work as one of China’s pre-eminent lawyers”, said Benjamin Weber, spokesman for the U.S. embassy in Beijing.

But Hong Lei, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said foreign governments must respect China’s judicial sovereignty and should not interfere. “I tried to walk away, but they wouldn’t let me, so I had to show my ID… which they took away with them somewhere, and two police officers escorted me on either side”.

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.