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Chinese activist Zhai Yanmin found guilty of subversion Chinese activist Zhai Yanmin found guilty of subversion
(about 3 hours later)
Chinese rights activist Zhai Yanmin has been found guilty of subverting state power after a one-day trial in Tianjin.Chinese rights activist Zhai Yanmin has been found guilty of subverting state power after a one-day trial in Tianjin.
Zhai was among 300 lawyers and activists arrested since July last year as part of a crackdown on legal activism - about 20 are still detained.Zhai was among 300 lawyers and activists arrested since July last year as part of a crackdown on legal activism - about 20 are still detained.
In the first trial since the crackdown, he was given a three-year suspended prison sentence.In the first trial since the crackdown, he was given a three-year suspended prison sentence.
The cases have provoked international criticism and accusations they are politically motivated.The cases have provoked international criticism and accusations they are politically motivated.
A further three activists from Zhai's law firm Fengrui, which specialises in human rights cases, are also on trial in Tianjin.A further three activists from Zhai's law firm Fengrui, which specialises in human rights cases, are also on trial in Tianjin.
Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng and Li Heping are facing the same charge.Hu Shigen, Zhou Shifeng and Li Heping are facing the same charge.
On Monday, prominent Fengrui lawyer Wang Yu was apparently released on bail, after a video appeared in which she renounced her legal work.On Monday, prominent Fengrui lawyer Wang Yu was apparently released on bail, after a video appeared in which she renounced her legal work.
But it was not clear when the video was filmed, nor whether Ms Wang was now free.But it was not clear when the video was filmed, nor whether Ms Wang was now free.
Do Chinese believe 'confession' videos?
At-the-scene: John Sudworth, BBC BeijingAt-the-scene: John Sudworth, BBC Beijing
China calls this trial "open" and says a number of journalists have been "invited" into court to cover it. The BBC's invitation must have got lost somewhere.China calls this trial "open" and says a number of journalists have been "invited" into court to cover it. The BBC's invitation must have got lost somewhere.
Very shortly after arriving outside the court in Tianjin we were stopped from filming by plain clothes policemen, had our identities checked and were then guided onto a bus and taken to a nearby hotel.Very shortly after arriving outside the court in Tianjin we were stopped from filming by plain clothes policemen, had our identities checked and were then guided onto a bus and taken to a nearby hotel.
In an upstairs room, projected onto a screen was a "live transcript" from the trial. Like the lawyers and family members who have been denied access to this group of defendants for over a year, there is no way to independently assess the strength of the evidence against them, or the authenticity of their professed "guilt".In an upstairs room, projected onto a screen was a "live transcript" from the trial. Like the lawyers and family members who have been denied access to this group of defendants for over a year, there is no way to independently assess the strength of the evidence against them, or the authenticity of their professed "guilt".
The thin veneer of openness is a sign that China well understands that the international community is watching these trials.The thin veneer of openness is a sign that China well understands that the international community is watching these trials.
But it will only add to the suspicion that they are politically motivated with the primary purpose of sending a very chilling message to anyone who dares to test the authority of the Communist Party, in or out of court.But it will only add to the suspicion that they are politically motivated with the primary purpose of sending a very chilling message to anyone who dares to test the authority of the Communist Party, in or out of court.
Chinese state media said the court had taken three hours to reach its verdict against Zhai, whose activism began with the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.Chinese state media said the court had taken three hours to reach its verdict against Zhai, whose activism began with the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989.
China Daily said he had posted comments online that harmed national security and social stability, and organised protests to disturb the public order.China Daily said he had posted comments online that harmed national security and social stability, and organised protests to disturb the public order.
The Xinhua state news agency described Zhai as a paid protester and "an unemployed resident of Beijing".The Xinhua state news agency described Zhai as a paid protester and "an unemployed resident of Beijing".
The suspended sentence means he will not go to jail, but will be heavily supervised and unable to be involved in any political activities.The suspended sentence means he will not go to jail, but will be heavily supervised and unable to be involved in any political activities.
'Ridiculous and evil''Ridiculous and evil'
The detained lawyers are widely known as "709" - a reference to the date the crackdown was launched on 9 July 2015.The detained lawyers are widely known as "709" - a reference to the date the crackdown was launched on 9 July 2015.
The families of some of those arrested said in a statement on Monday that the trial was "ridiculous and evil", and appealed for the trial to be given international attention.The families of some of those arrested said in a statement on Monday that the trial was "ridiculous and evil", and appealed for the trial to be given international attention.
The statement also alleged that the wife of Zhai was missing, with others facing the risk of being "taken away".The statement also alleged that the wife of Zhai was missing, with others facing the risk of being "taken away".
The family members said they were not allowed to attend the trial.The family members said they were not allowed to attend the trial.
China's crackdown last year targeted the country's small human rights advocacy movement, and involved lawyers tackling cases to do with freedom of speech, religion or abuses of power.China's crackdown last year targeted the country's small human rights advocacy movement, and involved lawyers tackling cases to do with freedom of speech, religion or abuses of power.
Most of the arrested activists were released but observers say China is taking a strong line against those still in detention.Most of the arrested activists were released but observers say China is taking a strong line against those still in detention.
In a video of Wang Yu which was released on Monday, she denounced the head of Fengrui, Zhou Shifeng, as an unqualified lawyer.In a video of Wang Yu which was released on Monday, she denounced the head of Fengrui, Zhou Shifeng, as an unqualified lawyer.
She added that "foreign forces" were using the firm to undermine and discredit the government.She added that "foreign forces" were using the firm to undermine and discredit the 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.