A Chinese court sentenced prominent human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang to a suspended prison term Tuesday, imposing a lighter punishment than expected in an apparent response to criticism from the worldwide community.
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The sentence means Mr. Pu-who has already spent more than 18 months in custody-can avoid prison as long as he doesn’t commit any crime and adheres to certain restrictions on his activities in the next three years, according to Chinese criminal law. He is now under “residential surveillance”.
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His family and lawyer told reporters that although Mr Pu had lost a lot of weight and his hair had turned grey, he appeared to be in good health and had an alert mind.
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“Pu will not have to immediately go to prison, but he is still not a free man”, Mo Shaoping, Pu’s lawyer told AFP after the sentencing. “He won’t be allowed home properly until the appeal window has closed”.
His trial ended last week with no verdict announced. Pu was also scathing about the government’s policies in Tibet.
“He said he thanks everyone and he wants to rest”, he added.
Pu was active in defending free speech and represented activist artist Ai Weiwei. He said in a 2013 interview with CNN, “I think I’m fine. Under the suspended sentence, he finally can get out”, said supporter Ren Jianyu. The trial was closed to the public and marred by violence-as uniformed and plainclothes police shoved and roughly manhandled diplomats, foreign journalists, and Pu’s supporters.
China’s foreign ministry, however, rebuffed such views.
“Then the police came in and put their hands in the lens, and wouldn’t let them interview me, saying interviewing wasn’t permitted there”, Ye said.
“From the beginning this is a case where people do not know whether to laugh or cry”, he said. A further five supporters have not been heard from since and it is feared they are also detained. “He has paid a heavy price for exercising his freedom of speech”, the group said in a statement, calling for an end to China’s ongoing persecution of human rights lawyers. In his closing remarks that day, Pu asked the judge for a verdict that will “stand the test of history”, his lawyer said.
Human rights group Amnesty International welcomed the suspended sentence but condemned the guilty verdict.
A pro-democracy protester holds a portrait of Chinese human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, demanding his release during a demonstration outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong on December 15, 2015.
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The verdict is the latest in a widening crackdown on civil society under President Xi Jinping, with more than 200 lawyers and activists detained or called in for questioning since the summer. The conviction was primarily based on seven social media posts, in total approximately 600 characters, in which Pu criticized government officials and polices.
