A Beijing-based lawyer has been jailed for 2? years by a Chongqing court for fabricating evidence in his defence of an alleged triad boss, a verdict that raises renewed concerns about the mainland's judicial integrity.
Li Zhuang was defending Gong Gangmo, who was arrested in the municipality's biggest crackdown on organised crime which began in June. Gong is charged with murder, possession of firearms and other serious crimes.
Li pleaded not guilty to the accusations at the trial on December 29. His lawyer, Gao Zicheng , said before the verdict that Li would appeal if convicted. Li and Gao are from Beijing Kang Da Law Firm, one of the mainland's top firms.
According to a harshly worded report by China Youth Daily in mid-December, Gong was said to have turned his lawyer in at 'the tug of his conscience', after Li 'coached' him to falsely claim forced confession, offered bribes on his behalf and charged extortionate sums for the defence services.
Li was portrayed in the report as a brash and aggressive lawyer who boasted of strong networks, and was known for winning cases through technicalities.
Li's case stirred mixed feelings among the legal community. While questions were raised about Li's professional ethics, most criticised irregularities in the way the case was handled.
'The crackdown has become a campaign where the police, prosecutors and courts all joined hands,' said Peking University law professor He Weifang. 'The room for criminal defence lawyers has been further squashed. Our judicial integrity suffered as a result.'