Breaking News – Hefty 5 year sentence handed out to Yang Chunlin
On March 24, land rights appeals representative Yang Chunlin was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and 2 years deprivation of political rights by the City Intermediate People’s Court in Heilongjiang Province. Yang was found guilty of “inciting the subversion of State Power” after he initiated the movement of “No to Olympics, Yes to Human Rights”.
Yang Chunlin’s sister Yang Chunping said that when the City Court found that Yang was guilty of inciting the subversion of State Power and handed down the sentence, Yang pointed out in Court that the Chinese Communist Party’s judiciary violates the law and that all his actions were within the rights of his freedom of speech and he did not break any laws. He said the judgement against him was illegal and thus refused to sign the judgement and will thus also not appeal the decision.
Yang Chunling’s defence lawyer Li Fangping pointed out that this judgement was severe and that they will arrange to meet with Yang within 10 days to ascertain whether or not he will appeal.
After the judgment Yang Chunling wished to speak to his family in the Courtroom but was stopped by bailiff with an electric baton.
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