AsiaNews.it

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – In camera trial proceedings against Li Hong, a writer reportedly arrested for posting articles online supporting detained human rights activist and lawyer Gao Zhisheng, began yesterday in Ningbo and has not yet ended, said an employee of the Ningbo Intermediate People's Court, who refused to give his name.

Mr Li was arrested last year on charges of subversion in Ningbo, south of Shanghai, after he published articles in Gao’s support.

He previously served a two-year term in a labour camp after taking part in China's 1989 pro-democracy and anti-corruption protests, which ended in the Tiananmen massacre.

In the last decade China’s Communist government has jailed dozens of people in a crackdown on journalists, online essayists and activist lawyers. Charges are always the same: violation of vague subversion or state secrets laws.

In such cases, China’s Penal Code also allows for preventive custody without trial that in some cases can last years.