|
 Xu Zhiyong, who has also pushed for greater civil rights, was
formally arrested in August in a case that has exposed shortcomings
in the government's drive against deep-rooted corruption.
His lawyer said the trial would open on Wednesday.
Western governments have sparred with Beijing over human rights and
both the United States and European Union have expressed concern
about Xu's case.
Founder of the "New Citizens' Movement", Xu advocates working within
the system to secure change. He had called on officials to disclose
their assets and fellow activists have gone into the streets to urge
citizens to fight corruption.
Lawyer Zhang Qingfang, speaking after a pre-trial hearing, said they
had asked to be allowed to present their own witnesses, but that
officials at the hearing said they were "unable to resolve" this
issue.
Xu, he said, will refuse to speak at the trial in Beijing to protest
this and other irregularities.
"It is to show that his rights will not be protected, that this is
not a just court, and so we have no way of cooperating in their
show," he said by telephone. "We will respect his wishes and also
protest by maintaining silence."
Xu was in good spirits though, Zhang added.
"He says that whether or not the trial or verdict is just he can
accept it, because this is the result of his choices," he said. "Of
course I am not optimistic. There will not be a happy verdict, and
he will certainly be found guilty." Beijing police say Xu hung
banners in public calling for asset disclosure and equal access to
education. He also campaigned for the right of children from rural
areas, who lack the required residence permit, to be educated in
cities where many live with their migrant worker parents.
[to top of second column] |
Police said that Xu's activities "created serious disturbances in
public order in public places" and that he interfered with the work
of public security officials.
China has detained at least 16 activists in the asset disclosure
campaign, in what rights groups say is the new leadership's first
crackdown targeting graft campaigners.
Xi Jinping's appointment as Communist Party chief in 2012 had
inspired many Chinese with hope for political reform, spurring
citizens nationwide to push for the asset disclosures.
But the detentions and Xu's trial signal the Communist Party will
tolerate no open challenge to its rule.
Xu has long been a thorn in the government's side. In 2009, he was
briefly arrested on tax evasion charges his defenders said were
trumped up to stifle his work. The charges were dropped after a
public furor.
(Editing by Ron Popeski)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
