Second Chinese rights activist Ding Jiaxi stands trial on state subversion charges in secret proceeding
- No family or supporters were in court as prominent civil rights leader went on trial in Shandong province on Friday
- A decade ago Ding, an engineer turned lawyer, joined Xu Zhiyong’s cause to promote the New Citizens’ Movement
Ding Jiaxi, one of China’s most prominent civil rights leaders, went on trial behind closed doors on Friday on charges of state subversion.
His trial was held without any of his family or supporters present, at the Linshu County People’s Court in Shandong province, eastern China.
Ding’s lawyers could not be reached for comment. The legal representatives had been ordered to sign confidentiality agreements forbidding them from speaking to the media or risk severe consequences, according to Luo Shengchun, Ding’s wife.
“[Ding’s] relatives in the mainland are being closely watched and guarded, [they] cannot leave their homes,” said Luo, who lives in the United States.
01:55
UN human rights chief Bachelet caps China trip with call for counterterrorism review
Ding has long been a civil rights activist, making him a frequent target of the authorities. China has in recent years focused on suppressing organised political activism in all forms, including moderate dissidents.