China: Fellow Activists Detained Ahead of Tan Zuoren’s Trial

In Chengdu, Sichuan Province, activist Tan Zuoren is standing trial. His crime? Investigating the number of schoolchildren killed in last year’s Sichuan earthquake—an action authorities call subversion of state power.

[Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch]:
“He’s been charged with incitement to subvert state power, which is a charge that, among other things, we think is fundamentally at odds with freedom of expression as protected, not just under international law, but under Chinese law, because it effectively criminalizes peaceful dissent.”

If convicted, Tan could receive a five-year prison sentence.

Authorities are trying to keep trial the behind closed doors. The Associated Press reported that Chengdu police detained a group of eleven people who attempted to go and watch the trial on Wednesday.

Among them is artist Ai Weiwei, who was a consultant for the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

According to the Guardian Newspaper, the court barred Ai from testifying as a witness at the trial, so he decided to go and watch instead. But, Ai told the Associated Press, four police officers carrying guns and batons barged into his hotel room at 3am Wednesday morning and took him away.

[Sophie Richardson, Human Rights Watch]:
“Tan’s actions stand to embarrass the government, and particularly local officials in Chengdu.”

Investigations into the Sichuan earthquake are sensitive to the communist regime and Tan is not the first activist to be put on trial.

The verdict in Tan’s trial is set to be announced next week.

Ben Hedges, NTD News.

(NTDTV)