Green activist Liu Futang in court over books he gave away
Campaigner against pollution and destruction of forests in Hainan charged with 'illegal business operation' over books he gave away
A vocal environmentalist faced charges of "illegal business operation" in a court in Hainan yesterday for self-publishing books on environmental conflicts caused by government-backed projects.
The prosecution of Liu Futang, a former forestry official, is aimed at stifling dissent over widespread pollution on the mainland, analysts said.
Prosecutors accused Liu, 63, of printing and distributing 18,000 copies of books worth 464,000 yuan (HK$568,000), and illegally obtaining 78,000 yuan.
It is a retaliation by local governments and interest groups against Liu's harsh criticism
Most of the books were sent as gifts to environmental groups, government officials and Liu's friends. But prosecutors said Liu had accepted money from some recipients, and his daughter sold 14 copies of one book through an online store.
Zhou Ze, a lawyer who attended the three-hour trial at Longhua District People's Court in Haikou, said a woman from Sanya told the court she had only offered Liu money as compensation to cover printing costs.
Liu was detained in July, while receiving hospital treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes.
No verdict was handed down yesterday but some legal experts said the charges could result in a jail sentence of two to five years.