This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/22/chinese-anti-corruption-activist-xu-zhiyong-trial
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chinese anti-corruption activist Xu Zhiyong goes on trial | Chinese anti-corruption activist Xu Zhiyong goes on trial |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The founder of a grassroots movement to boost accountability for China's officials has gone on trial on charges of disrupting public order, but stayed silent during the closed-door proceedings in protest, his lawyer said. | |
| The trial of the New Citizens founder, Xu Zhiyong, reflects determination by President Xi Jinping's administration to quash the activists before they can challenge Communist party rule, even though their goals largely overlap with the party's stated intention to root out public corruption. | |
| "If it is a crime to demand a clean government, to ask officials to declare assets and to demand equity in education, then how can this country have equality and justice?" said Du Guowang, an activist for education equity with no link to the movement. "This government has no confidence, but is fearful." | "If it is a crime to demand a clean government, to ask officials to declare assets and to demand equity in education, then how can this country have equality and justice?" said Du Guowang, an activist for education equity with no link to the movement. "This government has no confidence, but is fearful." |
| Xu has participated in small public rallies that have, among other issues, called for officials to declare their assets as a way of curbing graft – something party leaders have expressed willingness to consider, but have resisted. | Xu has participated in small public rallies that have, among other issues, called for officials to declare their assets as a way of curbing graft – something party leaders have expressed willingness to consider, but have resisted. |
| Since April 2013, authorities have detained about 17 people linked to the New Citizens movement, putting three of them on trial in the south-eastern province of Jiangxi in late 2013. No verdict has been issued for the Jiangxi trials. | Since April 2013, authorities have detained about 17 people linked to the New Citizens movement, putting three of them on trial in the south-eastern province of Jiangxi in late 2013. No verdict has been issued for the Jiangxi trials. |
| Wednesday's trial against Xu opened the second round of prosecution. At least six other activists will appear in court on Thursday and Friday in Beijing. Political and legal observers believe all will be found guilty and jailed for several years. | Wednesday's trial against Xu opened the second round of prosecution. At least six other activists will appear in court on Thursday and Friday in Beijing. Political and legal observers believe all will be found guilty and jailed for several years. |
| The US embassy in Beijing on Wednesday called for the immediate release of Xu, saying the prosecution was "retribution for his public campaign to expose official corruption and for the peaceful expression of his views". | The US embassy in Beijing on Wednesday called for the immediate release of Xu, saying the prosecution was "retribution for his public campaign to expose official corruption and for the peaceful expression of his views". |
| More than a dozen diplomats from the US, EU, Britain, Canada and Australia turned up to attend the trial but were told the courtroom was too small to accommodate them, and that foreign nationals have no place in a case against a Chinese national, according to the diplomats. | More than a dozen diplomats from the US, EU, Britain, Canada and Australia turned up to attend the trial but were told the courtroom was too small to accommodate them, and that foreign nationals have no place in a case against a Chinese national, according to the diplomats. |