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China jails 'New Citizens' Movement' activists China jails 'New Citizens' Movement' activists
(35 minutes later)
China has handed down lengthy jail terms to three anti-corruption activists who had called for officials to disclose their personal wealth.China has handed down lengthy jail terms to three anti-corruption activists who had called for officials to disclose their personal wealth.
A lawyer for Wei Zhongping and Liu Ping, activists associated with the New Citizens' Movement, said they had each been give six-and-a-half years in jail.A lawyer for Wei Zhongping and Liu Ping, activists associated with the New Citizens' Movement, said they had each been give six-and-a-half years in jail.
A third activist, Li Sihua, received a shorter sentence.A third activist, Li Sihua, received a shorter sentence.
China's leaders are running a crackdown on corruption, but refuse to tolerate grassroots groups with similar aims.China's leaders are running a crackdown on corruption, but refuse to tolerate grassroots groups with similar aims.
The three activists were detained after taking photographs with banners urging officials to disclose their assets.The three activists were detained after taking photographs with banners urging officials to disclose their assets.
They were put on trial in a high-security court in Xinyu, Jiangxi province, late last year.They were put on trial in a high-security court in Xinyu, Jiangxi province, late last year.
At the time, defence lawyers complained of serious procedural problems and said they were not confident of the outcome.At the time, defence lawyers complained of serious procedural problems and said they were not confident of the outcome.
New Citizens Movement
The three were convicted of the broad charge of "creating a disturbance".The three were convicted of the broad charge of "creating a disturbance".
Liu and Wei were convicted of other charges, thought to include "illegal assembly".Liu and Wei were convicted of other charges, thought to include "illegal assembly".
Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption drive when he took over in 2012.Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched an anti-corruption drive when he took over in 2012.
But he has also overseen the broadest crackdown on grassroots activism that China has seen in recent years.But he has also overseen the broadest crackdown on grassroots activism that China has seen in recent years.
Several activists in the New Citizens' Movement, which calls for more democracy and government transparency, have been detained.Several activists in the New Citizens' Movement, which calls for more democracy and government transparency, have been detained.
In July last year, prominent lawyer Xu Zhiyong, one of the founders of the movement, was detained on suspicion of having "gathered crowds to disrupt public order".In July last year, prominent lawyer Xu Zhiyong, one of the founders of the movement, was detained on suspicion of having "gathered crowds to disrupt public order".
He was eventually jailed for four years in January.