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Chinese activist's retrial begins Chinese activist's retrial begins
(about 7 hours later)
A Chinese court has begun the retrial of a blind activist whose jailing drew criticism from human rights groups.A Chinese court has begun the retrial of a blind activist whose jailing drew criticism from human rights groups.
Chen Guangcheng was found guilty of public order offences in August, and sentenced to four years in prison.Chen Guangcheng was found guilty of public order offences in August, and sentenced to four years in prison.
But a higher court threw out his conviction earlier this month, citing inadequate evidence. A higher court threw out his conviction earlier this month, citing inadequate evidence in a move that was welcomed by rights advocates.
Rights advocates welcomed the news, saying Chen did not receive a fair trial because he had raised concerns about forced abortions. However, a defence lawyer walked out of Monday's trial saying the court had refused a request to delay proceedings.
Li Jinsong said key witnesses had disappeared.
"Chen Guangcheng's opponents have tried every conceivable means to sabotage justice," Mr Li told Reuters news agency by telephone.
Another lawyer, Teng Biao, was reportedly taken away by police for four hours of questioning after he was refused entry into the court.
The retrial hearing began behind closed doors in Yinan County People's Court.The retrial hearing began behind closed doors in Yinan County People's Court.
Witnesses said security was tight in and around the courtroom, and a group of people who had come to support Chen were reportedly ordered to leave, as was one of the activist's lawyers. Witnesses said security was tight in and around the courtroom, and a group of people who had come to support Chen were reportedly also ordered to leave.
"At this time, I'm not sure whether to be optimistic yet," said another of his lawyers, Li Fangping. "At this time, I'm not sure whether to be optimistic yet," said another of his lawyers, Li Fangping as the trial got under way.
Retribution?Retribution?
Chen Guangcheng was originally sentenced to four years and three months in jail for "damaging property and organising a mob to disturb traffic".Chen Guangcheng was originally sentenced to four years and three months in jail for "damaging property and organising a mob to disturb traffic".
The official Xinhua news agency reported that he had launched an attack on government offices and police cars in Yinan County, because he was upset with workers carrying out poverty-relief programmes.The official Xinhua news agency reported that he had launched an attack on government offices and police cars in Yinan County, because he was upset with workers carrying out poverty-relief programmes.
But Mr Chen's supporters said that local officials had fabricated these charges, in order to punish him for exposing violations of China's one-child policy.But Mr Chen's supporters said that local officials had fabricated these charges, in order to punish him for exposing violations of China's one-child policy.
Mr Chen had accused local health workers in Linyi city, in Shandong province, of forcing hundreds of people to have late-term abortions or sterilisations.Mr Chen had accused local health workers in Linyi city, in Shandong province, of forcing hundreds of people to have late-term abortions or sterilisations.
His allegations were covered in the international media, including an article in Time Magazine which claimed some 7,000 people had been sterilised against their will in the province.His allegations were covered in the international media, including an article in Time Magazine which claimed some 7,000 people had been sterilised against their will in the province.
Several workers were later arrested or sacked over the claims, state media reported, acknowledging "successive complaints" about illegal practices in Linyi.Several workers were later arrested or sacked over the claims, state media reported, acknowledging "successive complaints" about illegal practices in Linyi.
China brought in its one-child policy 25 years ago, in a drive to curb population growth. But forced sterilisation and abortion are illegal.China brought in its one-child policy 25 years ago, in a drive to curb population growth. But forced sterilisation and abortion are illegal.