Scuffles as celebrated lawyer goes on trial in China

Police drag supporters away at Beijing courthouse as well-known rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang tried over online posts

DOHA: -- One of China's most celebrated human rights lawyers went on trial over online comments critical of the ruling Communist Party, as police scuffled with supporters and journalists 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.

Beijing's Number Two Intermediate People's Court will consider the evidence - seven posts the lawyer made on Weibo between 2011 and 2014 - on Monday, Mo told the AFP news agency.

Weibo is a hugely popular Twitter-like social media platform in China.

Full story: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/12/scuffles-celebrated-lawyer-trial-china-151214041535338.html

-- ALJAZEERA 2015-12-14

No problems with human rights violations in China. Britain just held a royal state dinner for the Chinese

President. Also China holds most favored trading partner status with the USA and Europe. That would

not be possible if there were any significant human rights violations..........would it ????

No problems with human rights violations in China. Britain just held a royal state dinner for the Chinese

President. Also China holds most favored trading partner status with the USA and Europe. That would

not be possible if there were any significant human rights violations..........would it ????

Western politicians have their overlords as well not just the Chinese. When it comes to trade and big business profits human rights goes out the window. At the British dinner I am sure there were enough skeletons in each person closet to fill a room. Come on folks do you really think other governments care a rats arse what China does or any other dictatorship. Its all posturing smoke and mirrors bowing and scrapping. It sickens me to no end.

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.

I'm just surprised they didn't add charges of "Wanting some" and "Giving it the eye".

Edited December 14, 201510 yr by Chicog

"picking quarrels and provoking trouble"

Prayut will have to remember those provocations when the next wave of FaceBook arrests go out.