China Human Rights Lawyer Guilty: Three-Year Suspended Sentence Over Posts

Acclaimed human-rights lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang, a vocal defender of some of China's leading dissidents, was given a three-year suspended sentence after he was found guilty of posting online material that criticized the ruling Communist party, Bloomberg Business writes. To be specific, Pu, 50, was charged with "inciting ethnic hatred" and "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" for criticizing the party and its policies towards ethnic minorities. Pu has since taken responsibility for the crimes, and has issued "sincere apologies."

Shan Baojun, Pu's counsel, says that "it's quite a disappointment that the authorities still believe Pu is guilty after we fought in the court for innocence," he adds, "but it's good he's out of the jail."

The Star Tribune adds that, the guilty verdict effectively bars Pu from engaging in his law practice, and he must follow restrictions set by the court, and not violate any more laws, or he might risk being incarcerated.

Human rights organization, Amnesty International, was happy with the suspended sentence but denounced the guilty verdict. In a written statement, William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International says that, "clearly it is positive that Pu Zhiqiang is unlikely to spend another night in jail, yet that cannot hide the gross injustice against him." Nee adds, "he is no criminal and this guilty verdict effectively shackles one of China's bravest champions of human rights from practicing law."

The case is widely seen by Pu's supporters as politically motivated in order to go after the vocal lawyer who is seen as a prominent figure among Chinese human rights defenders.

Pu actively defended free speech, and was the counsel of artist, Ai Weiwei, in a tax evation suit during the crackdown on persons critical to the government. He was also involved in advocating the eventual closing of the labor camp system, which gave the authorities the power to jail dissidents without the benefit of a trial.

ABC News Australia writes that Pu will be monitored by the police for the next three years, and would need authorization to go outside Beijing. If he abides by the law and complies with conditions set by the court, Pu's sentence will be commuted.