Hong Kong-based labour activist Han Dongfang has denied any link to Yao Fuxin, one of the two labour leaders charged with subversion for allegedly organising the massive Liaoning workers' protests in March last year.
The director of the China Labour Bulletin was speaking after mainland prosecutors claimed one of Yao's crimes was being connected to Mr Han.
Yao and Xiao Yunliang went on trial on Wednesday in Liaoyang Intermediate People's Court on charges of subverting state power. If convicted, the pair could face life imprisonment.
Mr Han said yesterday it was wrong to prosecute Yao and he had never spoken to the activist.
'I cannot see why this should be illegal. It is just an attempt by the authorities to deny labour activists on the mainland the support of international ones.'
But Mr Han admitted contacting Yao's family after his arrest.