This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-36950011

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Chinese activist charged with "subversion of state power" goes on trial Chinese activist charged with "subversion of state power" goes on trial
(35 minutes later)
The trial of a Chinese activist, who is at the centre of a year-long government crackdown on legal activism, is set to begin in Tianjin.The trial of a Chinese activist, who is at the centre of a year-long government crackdown on legal activism, is set to begin in Tianjin.
Zhai Yanmin is among three activists and a Chinese human rights lawyer accused of "subversion of state power". Zhai Yanmin is one of a group of four activists and lawyers accused of "subversion of state power".
A prominent lawyer from the same firm, Wang Yu, was released on bail on Monday after a video appeared in which she renounced her legal work. A prominent lawyer from the same firm, Wang Yu, was reportedly released on bail on Monday after a video appeared in which she renounced her legal work.
About 300 lawyers and activists have been detained in recent months.About 300 lawyers and activists have been detained in recent months.
Observers have said the cases are politically motivated and human rights groups have called on China to release them.Observers have said the cases are politically motivated and human rights groups have called on China to release them.
On Tuesday, their family members and supporters gathered outside the Tianjin No. 2 Intermediate People's Court along with journalists and police.
The charge of subverting state power carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.The charge of subverting state power carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
'Ridiculous and evil''Ridiculous and evil'
The group is called "709" - a reference to the date the crackdown was launched on 9 July, 2015. The group is widely known as "709" - a reference to the date the crackdown was launched on 9 July 2015.
The families of those arrested announced on Monday in a statement that the trial was "ridiculous and evil", calling for it to be condemned. The families of some of those arrested said in a statement on Monday that the trial was "ridiculous and evil".
"As 709 family members, we solemnly make this appeal to Chinese citizens and international friends, please pay attention to and condemn the trial.""As 709 family members, we solemnly make this appeal to Chinese citizens and international friends, please pay attention to and condemn the trial."
The statement also alleged that the wife of Mr Zhai was missing, with others facing the risk of being "taken away". The statement also alleged that the wife of Mr Zhai was missing, with others facing at risk of being "taken away".
The family members said they were not being allowed to attend Tuesday's trial.The family members said they were not being allowed to attend Tuesday's trial.
Xinhua, the state media agency, said 28 people are expected to attend the trial, including "12 representatives from domestic media and five others from international media". But on Tuesday, some relatives and supporters gathered outside the Tianjin No 2 Intermediate People's Court, along with journalists and police.
Human rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng and the two other activists, Hu Shigen and Gou Hongguo are also expected to be part of the four-day trial. Xinhua, the state media agency, said the trial would be open to observers and that 28 people were expected to attend, including "12 representatives from domestic media and five others from international media".
Ahead of the trial, Ms Wang featured in a video released on Monday denouncing Mr Zhou, the law firm's head, as an unqualified lawyer. Human rights lawyer Zhou Shifeng and the two other activists, Hu Shigen and Gou Hongguo are also expected to go on trial over the next four days.
In a video released on Monday, Ms Wang denounced Mr Zhou, the law firm's head, as an unqualified lawyer.
She added that "foreign forces" were using her law firm to undermine and discredit the Chinese government.She added that "foreign forces" were using her law firm to undermine and discredit the Chinese government.
Observers said there were indications the "confession" was coerced. In recent months forced public confessions have been used in several cases in China.Observers said there were indications the "confession" was coerced. In recent months forced public confessions have been used in several cases in China.