(From AFP)
One of China’s most celebrated human rights lawyers went on trial on Monday (Dec 14) over online comments critical of the ruling Communist Party, as the police scuffled with supporters and journalists gathered outside the courthouse.
Pu Zhiqiang, who has represented labour camp victims and dissident artist Ai Weiwei, was detained a year and a half ago in a nationwide crackdown on dissent.
He faces a maximum of eight years in jail on charges of “inciting ethnic hatred” and “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”, according to his lawyer Mo Shaoping. Read More