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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| China court sentences Xu Zhiyong to four years in jail | China court sentences Xu Zhiyong to four years in jail |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Chinese court has sentenced prominent human rights activist Xu Zhiyong to four years in prison. | A Chinese court has sentenced prominent human rights activist Xu Zhiyong to four years in prison. |
| Mr Xu, who campaigned for children's rights and against corruption, was convicted of "gathering crowds to disrupt public order". | Mr Xu, who campaigned for children's rights and against corruption, was convicted of "gathering crowds to disrupt public order". |
| Several other activists from a transparency movement are facing similar charges. | Several other activists from a transparency movement are facing similar charges. |
| Rights groups have criticised President Xi Jinping - who pledged to fight corruption - over their cases. | Rights groups have criticised President Xi Jinping - who pledged to fight corruption - over their cases. |
| Mr Xu was arrested in July 2013 and the trial began on Wednesday. | Mr Xu was arrested in July 2013 and the trial began on Wednesday. |
| The court announced the jail sentence on its official microblog on Sunday. | The court announced the jail sentence on its official microblog on Sunday. |
| Mr Xu, who was also previously under house arrest, is a leading member of a group calling for officials to reveal their wealth. | |
| He has also campaigned in behalf of inmates on death row and families affected by tainted baby milk formula, among other causes. | |
| In 2009 he was arrested on tax evasion charges that were eventually dropped after public outcry. | |
| Seven members of his informal grassroots group, New Citizens Movement, also are also facing separate trials on similar charges. | Seven members of his informal grassroots group, New Citizens Movement, also are also facing separate trials on similar charges. |