Outspoken Chinese tycoon Sun Dawu jailed for 18 years
- The sentence handed down to the agriculture boss, his sons and brothers as well as company employees is likely to heighten concerns among the private sector
- Sun had long been a critic of the authorities and one observer said his case shows the limits on free speech in China today
The Gaobeidian People’s Court also handed down jail sentences of between 18 months to 12 years to Sun’s two sons and two brothers.
The Dawu Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Group, a conglomerate that bears the tycoon’s name, was fined more than 30 million yuan (US$4.6 million), had another 14 million yuan confiscated and was ordered to repay over 1 billion yuan of deposits it has taken from employees and local residents in Hebei province.
All 20 defendants in the case were found guilty but five were given suspended sentences, according to a brief statement posted by the court on its social media platform and Sun’s legal team.
The trial of Sun, his family and business associates lasted for two weeks and it was being closely watched as the tycoon was seen as an outspoken critic of the Chinese leadership. The Dawu group, which employs more than 9,000 people, wielded considerable local influence.
Defence lawyers issued a statement after the trial, saying they were “very disappointed” and would appeal.