Three-hour trial for China's most high profile rights lawyer in Beijing

The trial of one of China’s most high profile human rights lawyers, on charges of inciting ethnic hatred and provoking trouble, lasted just three hours, with police blocking diplomats, foreign reporters, and protesters from the Beijing court.

Pu Zhiqiang, who has spent nearly 19 months in detention, faces up to eight years in prison if convicted, according to one of his lawyers, Shang Baojun.

As many as 11 diplomats from countries including the US, Germany, and France congregated near the courthouse seeking to observe the trial.