Well-known Dissident Hu Jia Sentenced to Jail in China

Anna Chan:
Today a Chinese court sentenced well-known dissident Hu Jia to three and a half years in jail. The decision is likely to draw more international criticism of the country's political controls ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

The Beijing Number One Intermediate People's Court found the 34-year-old human rights activist guilty of "inciting subversion of state power", a charge often used against people who openly criticize the CCP.

Hu emerged as one of the nation's most vocal advocates of democratic rights, religious freedom and
self-determination for Tibet.

His conviction is likely to become a focus for critics of the Communist Party's strict controls on dissent and protest ahead of the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice raised Hu's case while in Beijing in February. The European Union and other Western governments have also pressed China on the case.

His wife, Zeng Jinyan and their infant daughter remain under house arrest, with their telephone line cut off. During the court sentencing, Zeng Jinyan was present under police escort.

[Li Fangping, Hu Jia's Lawyer]:
"Yes, his mother and his wife will be permitted to attend his hearing and this is according to Chinese law because its the verdict not the trial."

Hu was detained by police in late December after spending more than 200 days under house arrest in a Beijing apartment complex.

Friends and well-wishers waited outside the courtroom to hear the result of the verdict. One supporter, who would not give her name, was escorted back to her home province in the past for petitioning in Beijing.

"I heard that Hu Jia's verdict was today so I came back to support him wholeheartedly. Hu Jia hasn't done anything wrong, we all support him."

Another Chinese dissident, Yang Chunlin, who called for human rights to take precedence over the Olympic Games, was sentenced to five years in jail on charges of inciting subversion in late March.

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[efwhite]

What a disgusting outrage, sentencing this man 3.5 years for writing 5 articles and giving 2 interviews... it reminds us all how precious our freedoms are... and how backwards China really is.

[VietBoatPeople]

Hu Jia is a hero. Respect!

Chinese Communists need to learn and respect Freedom & Human Rights.

Chinese Communists law is the law of jungle!

FREEDOM for China & Tibet!

[SmokeyCough]

You can write anything about President Obama with no worries.. never say China is better than the USA ever again...

[Idude893]

Now, now, no fundamentalism.

[kathCT]

God Bless Hu and his family. I will be praying for him. I'm also going to an Amnesty International conference soon and will mention his case there, and ask them to help him out.

[deedee1067]

Freedom, Democracy and Human Rights for China !

[Jhienaru]

Don't worry ALL of them are going to HELL and they repay for what they have done for the people of GOD. These people are influenced from SAtan himself that's why they all doing what Satan's pleases. Just Wait! LAKE OF FIRE IS WAITING FOR THEM IN JUDGEMT TIME OF GOD.

[chinaflagforum]

i am a chinese, i wish communist go to hell, communist=/=china, go to hell communist bitches

[iLuvTibet]

Free Hu Jia! We Tibetans support your brave activism and hope more people in China had even half your courage and determination. *Hu Jia deserves the Nobel Peace Prize because he truly epitomizes what the award stands for.

*FREE TIBET

[Freealll]

Chinese communist government sucks! like a rotten cat, I can't believe how much poor chinese people can take. CCP is like a mafia not a government.

[tsedor03]

I will pray for the safety and sound health of all the human rights actives detainted by CCP. World is watching and praying for all of you. Justic will previal. Sun will shine over evil soon.

[deguowatao]

@ pugster73:

1) when you think its justified to harass hu jia and his wife for what you wrote he did, you proove that you dont even understand moral.

2) except radical pro-ccp blogs i didnt see ANY credible source claiming that hu jia got paid through NED. total lack of proof.