China Gives Rights Lawyer Suspended Sentence – Benjamin Kang Lim
From Reuters:
In a rare display of official tolerance, outspoken Chinese human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng was sentenced to three years in prison for subversion but execution of his sentence was suspended, meaning he could walk free.
Gao, 42, was given a five-year reprieve, the official Xinhua news agency said on Friday, quoting sources with a local court. That meant he does not have to serve his sentence unless he commits another crime over the next five years.
…But he was also deprived of his political rights for one year, which would prevent him from speaking to reporters and might mean he could be kept under house arrest or surveillance. [Full Text]
Related report from AP: “Report: China Lawyer’s Sentence Suspended” says”A group of more than 50 foreign scholars and human rights campaigners issued a public appeal in October for Beijing to stop harassing activists, citing the cases of Gao and others.”
(Photo of Gao Zhisheng)
