Chinese Abortion Activist Sentenced To Four Years In Prison
Yvonne Lee - All Headline News Staff Reporter Beijing, China (AHN) - A Chinese activist who fought against forced abortions and sterilizations of women in Shandong province is sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Chen Guangcheng was found guilty of "damaging property and organizing a mob to disturb traffic." He was put under house arrest in September 2005 for alleged public order offenses. Chen had accused Shandong officials of violating family planning laws by enforcing China's one-child policy. His trial took just two hours. Three lawyers involved in the case were arrested prior to the trial. Two were later set free. One of the lawyers, Li Fangping, told BBC News that Chen is being represented against his will by two state-appointed lawyers. Chen's wife said she was barred from attending the trial. She told Reuters, "I thought they were going to sentence him even though he's innocent, but I never expected such a heavy sentence." Li said he is outraged by the sentence. He told The Associated Press, "The whole justice system has acted totally illegally in Chen Guangcheng's case." Amnesty International believes Chen did not receive a fair trial. Barbara Francis of Amnesty International told BBC News, "It is Chen Guangcheng's fundamental right to have the lawyers of his choice and to have family members attend his trial." She added, "Their attitude epitomizes the general pattern |
