Charges against Chen Jiahong may be linked to a slogan he posted in Chinese calligraphy, his former lawyer says.
By Gao Feng and Shum Yin Hang
2021.12.14
Authorities in the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi have handed down a three-year jail term to an outspoken rights lawyer for “subversion,” amid fears for his safety in detention.
The Yulin Intermediate People’s Court handed down the sentence to Chen Jiahong on Tuesday after finding him guilty of “incitement to subvert state power.”
Chen’s ex-wife Luo Fen said Chen, a prominent critic of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), wasn’t present at the sentencing hearing, but was connected by video link from the detention center.
“Chen Jianhong wasn’t in court, not in person,” Luo told RFA on Tuesday. “He listened to the hearing via video link from the detention center.”
She said there are concerns for his safety.
“Chen Jiahong revealed that he had been subjected to beatings by gang members in detention,” Luo said.
Chen’s former defense attorney Lu Siwei said Chen’s outspokenness likely attracted the wrath of the authorities.
