China jails rights activist for three-and-a-half years
Chinese civil rights activist Hu Jia was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison
Thursday, 03, Apr 2008 01:34
A Chinese civil rights activist has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on subversion charges.
Hu Jia, 34, was convicted today of "inciting subversion of state power" for criticising the ruling Communist party.
The conviction has drawn international criticism ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games this summer.
The U.S. Embassy in China said in a statement: "In this Olympic year, we urge China to seize the opportunity to put its best face forward and take steps to improve its record on human rights and religious freedom."
China's official Xinhua news agency claimed that Hu had made a "confession of crime and acceptance of punishment".
The charges brought against Hu are based on internet articles he wrote and interviews he gave to foreign media.
His lawyer, Li Fangping, claimed that: "We're happy that he was not charged with a more severe crime but three years and six months, we still think is unacceptable."
Hu now has ten days to appeal the sentence, although no decision to do so has yet been made, Mr Fangping added.
Today's sentencing was met with strong condemnation from human rights groups and international organisations.
Amnesty International said the verdict "betrays promises made by Chinese officials that human rights would improve in the run-up to the Olympics".
Mark Allison, of the East Asia Team of Amnesty International, said: "This verdict is a slap in the face for Hu Jia and a warning to any other activists in China who dare to raise human rights concerns publicly."
European Union spokesman William Fingleton issued further criticism of the decision: "We said clearly before the trial that he should not be detained in the first place, and he should be released."
China's Foreign Ministry responded to the international disapproval by defending its verdict and accusing others of interfering in the country's internal affairs.
"We will not stop implementing the rule of law ahead of holding the Olympics," said government spokeswoman Jiang Yu.