Police detain protesting mother of Aids patient after trial

Amid tight security, an Aids patient turned activist went on trial in Henan yesterday on what supporters say are trumped-up charges.

Dozens of supporters were shocked to see police bundling the mother of Tian Xi into a vehicle after she protested outside the Shangcai county court after the trial, they said.

Tian Xi, 23, who contracted HIV and hepatitis B and C from a blood transfusion at a local hospital when he was nine, was charged with 'intentionally damaging property' at a hospital in Xincai county, Henan.

He was detained last month after he lost his temper and smashed office equipment at the hospital where he was infected, angry that government and hospital officials had ignored his repeated pleas for compensation.

Tian became a thorn in the authorities' side after he started campaigning for himself and others who contracted HIV through tainted blood supplies. He also worked for the high-profile Aids advocacy group Aizhixing, whose director, Wan Yanhai, fled to the United States in May alleging government harassment. Yesterday, the court reserved judgment after the 31/2 hour trial, but was expected to deliver a verdict within a month and a half, lawyer Liang Xiaojun said.

Tian's father, Tian Demin, said his son was pale and gaunt after spending more than a month in custody and was visibly upset when he heard accusations levelled against him in court. In tears, he made an emotional statement insisting on his innocence.

'He said in a low voice: 'I will keep on petitioning until the government addresses my grievances, I will fight for my rights.' He broke down in tears,' Tian Demin said.