China jails outspoken activist over Tibet views

BEIJING - An outspoken Chinese dissident was jailed for three-and-a-half years on Thursday over his remarks about Tibet and other sensitive topics.

Hu Jia, 34, was found guilty of "inciting subversion of state power" for criticizing the ruling Communist Party.

The "inciting subversion" charge can attract a jail term of five years or longer, and before the hearing Hu's other lawyer, Li Fangping, said a long sentence was likely.

After the sentencing he denounced it as nonetheless unjust.

"It's the defense position that citizens have the right to free speech," Li Fangping told reporters outside the court.

"The law on inciting subversion of state power doesn't have a clear boundary, but the Constitution guarantees citizens freedom of speech."

China's Foreign Ministry defended the verdict and said critics were meddling in the country's internal affairs.

Here is the link to the full story:MSNBC

This is horrible. What happened to free speech? This guy is a hero for standing up, and speaking his mind. What do you guys think?


[edit on 3-4-2008 by schism85]

What do you guys think?

I think he's lucky he's still alive. Lucky they didn't put him away for 25 years. Lucky they didn't put his family in jail with him.

We're told Falun Gong followers are killed and their organs harvested and used as ingredients for expensive Western face creams. And Falun Gong is mere 'disobedience', rather than the 'inciting subversion of state power' as cited in the OP.

So, based on what we in the West are told about Chinese citizens' 'non-rights' ... he's lucky he's still alive.