China faces criticism for jailing activist

A leading Chinese civil rights activist was jailed today bringing international criticism of the country ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

Hu Jia, 34, was convicted of charges of “inciting subversion of state power” based on internet articles he had written and interviews he gave to foreign media. He was sentenced to 42 months.

His lawyer Li Fangping said: “We’re happy that he was not charged with a more severe crime, but three years and six months we still think is unacceptable.”

Hu has 10 days to appeal the sentence, but Li said a decision on an appeal has not been made yet.

Hu appeared calm and poised as the sentence was read out at Beijing No. 1 People’s Intermediate Court, Li said, adding that Hu had been “emotionally prepared” for the verdict.

No diplomats or journalists were allowed inside the courtroom during the sentencing, although his wife, also a human rights activist, baby daughter and mother were present.

Beijing routinely uses the nebulous charge of subversion to imprison dissidents for years.

Hu’s case has gained international attention, with both US and European officials repeatedly calling for his release in meetings with Chinese officials.

Hu has been a vocal critic of China’s human rights record for years, focusing on AIDS and the environment.

In recent years he has waged a campaign to expose the plight of other dissidents. Using the internet and the phone, he has detailed the arrests, harassment and detention of activists, journalists and diplomats in China.

Hu had been kept under house arrest at his Beijing apartment in a complex called “Freedom City” for more than 200 days before he was taken into custody in December.

Hu’s indictment cited comments he made during two interviews with foreign media and five articles he wrote that were posted on the internet, including Boxun.com, a Chinese-language website that is banned in China.

It carries reports and essays on a wide range of issues rarely seen in the Chinese state media, from corruption cases to calls for greater democracy.

The US Embassy said it was disappointed over the verdict, adding that the world was closely watching China’s progress on human rights ahead of the Olympics .

“We are dismayed by the verdict announced today in the case of prominent human rights activist Hu Jia under the specious charge of inciting subversion of state power,” a spokeswoman said.

“In this Olympic year, we urge China to seize the opportunity to put its best face forward and take steps to improve its record on human rights and religious freedom,” she said.

The European Union also called for Hu’s immediate release.

“We said clearly before the trial that he should not be detained in the first place, and he should be released,” a spokesman said.

Human rights groups say China has launched a mass campaign to silence critics ahead of the games in August.

Amnesty International condemned the sentence.

“This verdict is a slap in the face for Hu Jia and a warning to any other activists in China who dare to raise human rights concerns publicly,” a spokesman said.