Veteran Chinese human rights lawyers expected to face trial soon

The lawyer representing one of the accused, Xu Zhiyong, has been summoned to a pre-trial meeting on Friday to ‘ensure the hearing goes smoothly’

A source says Ding Jiaxi, who was arrested after attending a meeting with Xu and other lawyers, will also appear in court on charges of subverting state power

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Xu Zhiyong, a veteran legal activist, is charged with subverting state power. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 15 Jun 2022

Two Chinese human rights lawyers who have been held for more than two years are expected to stand trial soon, according to friends and legal sources.

The imminent trial of one of the lawyers, Xu Zhiyong, was indirectly confirmed after the Intermediate People’s Court of Linyi in Shandong province issued a notice on Monday informing Xu’s lawyer that a pre-trial meeting would be held on Friday.

The notice, which was posted on Twitter by Shenzhen-based human rights lawyer Pang Kun on Tuesday, does not give a specific date for the hearing but said the meeting was intended to ensure “the smooth proceeding of the trial” in light of the “large volume of evidence and complexity of the case”.

An informed source who requested anonymity said fellow lawyer Ding Jiaxi, who was arrested at about the same time as Xu, would also stand trial soon and a pre-trial meeting was being arranged.

“Xu’s lawyers will plead not guilty for Xu during the trial and defend him on the grounds that his arrest and detention violated legal procedures,” the source said, adding that the trial would take place soon after Friday’s meeting.

Both Xu, 49, and Ding, 54, are accused of subverting state power – an offence that can carry a life sentence.

Ding Jiaxi is expected to face trial soon. Photo: Handout

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