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Pu Zhiqiang: China rights lawyer gets suspended jail sentence Pu Zhiqiang: China rights lawyer gets suspended jail sentence
(about 2 hours later)
Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang has been released from detention after receiving a suspended jail sentence.Prominent Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang has been released from detention after receiving a suspended jail sentence.
Mr Pu was found guilty by a Beijing court earlier on Tuesday for "inciting ethnic hatred" and "picking quarrels" in social media posts. Mr Pu was found guilty by a Beijing court earlier on Tuesday for "inciting ethnic hatred" and "picking quarrels" in social media posts.
The court sentenced him to three years in prison but also said the sentence would be suspended.The court sentenced him to three years in prison but also said the sentence would be suspended.
He is the latest to be tried in a crackdown on dissidents in China.He is the latest to be tried in a crackdown on dissidents in China.
Mr Pu was released from Beijing's Number One Detention Centre on Tuesday afternoon, where he had been held for 19 months.Mr Pu was released from Beijing's Number One Detention Centre on Tuesday afternoon, where he had been held for 19 months.
He quickly left in a car without speaking to reporters waiting outside. He is now under "residential surveillance", and has 10 days to decide whether to appeal against his conviction and sentence, his lawyer says.
Experts say the suspended sentence means Mr Pu can avoid serving time in jail - but could be monitored during the suspension period. The guilty verdict means he can no longer practice law.
Mr Pu could have faced a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.Mr Pu could have faced a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
Correspondents say that the sentencing could mean that he is monitored during the suspension period, with the possibility of a reduced sentence if he demonstrates good behaviour. State news agency Xinhua said that during his sentencing Mr Pu had "acknowledged the reality of his crimes", apologised, and accepted his sentence. However, his lawyers said he had not pleaded guilty.
State news agency Xinhua reported on its microblog that during his sentencing Mr Pu had "acknowledged the reality of his crimes", apologised, and expressed acceptance of his sentence. Rights group Amnesty International said that the sentence was "a deliberate attempt by the Chinese authorities to shackle a champion of freedom of expression".
Human rights group Amnesty International said in a statement that the suspended sentence was "a deliberate attempt by the Chinese authorities to shackle a champion of freedom of expression". However, foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Mr Pu's case had been handled "in accordance with the law" and that "foreign governments should respect China's judicial sovereignty".
Mr Pu has been in detention since May 2014, after he posted several messages on microblogging platform weibo that were critical of the government. Mr Pu has been in detention since May 2014, after he posted several messages on microblogging platform Weibo that were critical of the government.
He had questioned the "excessively violent" crackdown on Uighurs in the restive Xinjiang region. He also alleged the Chinese Communist Party was an untruthful party, and mocked government rhetoric over disputed islands in the East China Sea which are also claimed by Japan. He had questioned the "excessively violent" crackdown on Uighurs in the restive Xinjiang region, alleged the Chinese Communist Party was an untruthful party, and mocked government rhetoric over disputed islands in the East China Sea.
Supporters say his arrest was politically motivated, as he is known for representing dissidents in sensitive human rights cases and for his vocal criticism. Supporters say his arrest was politically motivated, as he is known for representing dissidents in sensitive human rights cases.
Pu Zhiqiang represented artist Ai Weiwei in a tax evasion case that critics complained was politically motivated. He also campaigned for the eventual abolition of the labour camp system, under which suspects could be detained for years without trial.Pu Zhiqiang represented artist Ai Weiwei in a tax evasion case that critics complained was politically motivated. He also campaigned for the eventual abolition of the labour camp system, under which suspects could be detained for years without trial.
ScufflesScuffles
Prior to the sentencing, a small group of activists and foreign journalists gathered in front of the court. There were brief scuffles with the police, in a repeat of scenes seen last week during Mr Pu's one-day trial.Prior to the sentencing, a small group of activists and foreign journalists gathered in front of the court. There were brief scuffles with the police, in a repeat of scenes seen last week during Mr Pu's one-day trial.
A BBC team witnessed supporters and journalists being dragged away by dozens of plainclothes policemen. The BBC team was later asked to leave.A BBC team witnessed supporters and journalists being dragged away by dozens of plainclothes policemen. The BBC team was later asked to leave.
Amnesty said at least 12 activists were detained on Tuesday.Amnesty said at least 12 activists were detained on Tuesday.
Human rights activist Hu Jia told the BBC that China's authorities had "attacked a leading human rights lawyer... as a warning to other rights lawyers [in China]."
International interest in his case could have contributed to his jail sentence being suspended, Mr Hu said, but added that Mr Pu was still at risk of being persecuted by the authorities.
At the scene: Stephen Evans, BBC News, BeijingAt the scene: Stephen Evans, BBC News, Beijing
Pu Zhiqiang is something of a celebrity as a lawyer. He's a big, bear-like man with a baritone voice who has defended a range of causes, especially those involving freedom of speech and detention in labour camps.Pu Zhiqiang is something of a celebrity as a lawyer. He's a big, bear-like man with a baritone voice who has defended a range of causes, especially those involving freedom of speech and detention in labour camps.
He mixes popular street speech with allusions to classical literature in a powerful rhetorical fashion. "Feisty" is an adjective often used to describe him.He mixes popular street speech with allusions to classical literature in a powerful rhetorical fashion. "Feisty" is an adjective often used to describe him.
He has also been a thorn in the side of the authorities since his imprisonment in 1989 as a student pro-democracy protester.He has also been a thorn in the side of the authorities since his imprisonment in 1989 as a student pro-democracy protester.
His defenders say his current treatment is not because of the content of the seven posts on social media cited by the authorities. Rather, they say, it is to send a warning to dissidents - and the lawyers of dissidents.His defenders say his current treatment is not because of the content of the seven posts on social media cited by the authorities. Rather, they say, it is to send a warning to dissidents - and the lawyers of dissidents.
As one government critic is quoted as saying: "The authorities are doing this because they want people to feel that their fingers are loaded with weight when they type on a keyboard."
Mr Pu was tried on 14 December. His family said he had pleaded not guilty to all charges, but no verdict was given at that time.
His wife was allowed to attend the trial, which lasted about three hours.
His family and lawyer told reporters last week that although Mr Pu had lost a lot of weight and his hair had turned grey, he appeared to be in good health and had an alert mind.