The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #146443 Message #3390929
Posted By: GUEST,999
16-Aug-12 - 11:16 AM
Thread Name: Free the Pussy Riot Three
Subject: RE: Free the Pussy Riot Three
"Protest in art form is illegal "somewhere"? Really????? In this world? TODAY???"
'China jails writer for 10 years on 'subversion' charge
Li Tie found guilty of 'subverting state power' after writing online essays that urged people to defend their rights, relative says
A Chinese court has sentenced a writer to 10 years in prison on subversion charges for writing essays that urged people to defend their rights, according to a relative of the man.
Li Tie was found guilty of the "subversion of state power" at a court in Wuhan, central China, on Tuesday, said the relative, who declined to be named for fear of retribution.
Li is the third person to be sentenced on such charges in the last month. The charge is more serious than the one of incitement, often used against critics of the ruling Communist Party.
The relative said Li told the court: 'I'm not guilty. When have I subverted state power?'
"The state has made this conclusion against him," the relative said. "You can't understand it. Under these circumstances, you're helpless. But this is our reality. He sat in front of the computer 'subverting state power'."
Rights activists say the harsh sentences are worrying signs that the government's crackdown on dissidents is intensifying, ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Arab-inspired 'Jasmine Revolution' rallies. There is also a tricky leadership transition later in the year.
During the past decade, Li has written many online articles promoting democracy, constitutional government, and direct local elections, according to the Chinese Human Rights Defenders.
Chinese authorities indicted veteran dissident Zhu Yufu on subversion charges for writing a poem urging people to gather to defend their freedoms, his lawyer said on Tuesday.
"What the activists have in common is their long-term unwavered commitment to democracy," said Songlian Wang, research co-ordinator for the rights group.
"By doling harsh sentences against them, the Chinese government is sending a clear message in response to the Arab spring, it is drawing a red line – advocate democratisation and you'll be given a decade in prison."'