Zhou Shifeng: Chinese law firm founder jailed for subversion

Image copyright AP

Image caption The ex-founder of a controversial Beijing law firm, Zhou Shifeng, frequently took on sensitive cases and represented clients targeted by the government

The founder of a Chinese law firm known for representing cases against the government has been sentenced to seven years in prison for subversion.

Zhou Shifeng"s conviction in Tianjin is the latest development in a government crackdown on legal activism.

His Fengrui law firm was involved in several high profile cases, including the 2008 tainted baby milk scandal.

The crackdown has been widely seen as an attempt to silence outspoken government critics.

Around 300 lawyers and activists have been arrested since last year. About 20 are still detained.

Two other activists – Hu Shigen and Zhai Yanmin – were convicted in Tianjin this week under the same charge. Gou Hongguo is also expected to go on trial.

"Hired protesters"

Zhou pleaded guilty in court and will not appeal against the ruling, reported state media outlet Xinhua.

Prosecutors said he had worked "to encourage lawyers to highlight sensitive cases and hired protesters to disturb the judicial system".

The 52-year-old has also been deprived of his political rights for five years.

Image copyright AP

Image caption Zhou is among 300 lawyers and activists arrested since July as part of a crackdown on legal activism- with 20 still detained

Some 40 people, including lawyers and journalists were present at the brief trial.

But none of his family members were in court, as he allegedly requested in a letter posted by the court on micro-blogging site Weibo.

Zhou and the now-closed Fengrui law firm have frequently challenged the Chinese government.

They has represented clients such as activist artist Ai Weiwei and members of the banned Falun Gong meditation sect, as well as taking on the company behind the selling of tainted baby milk formula.

On Monday, prominent Fengrui lawyer Wang Yu was allegedly released on bail, after a video in which she renounced her legal work.

China"s crackdown, which started last year, has targeted the country"s small human rights advocacy movement and involved lawyers tackling cases to do with freedom of speech, religion or abuses of power.

Original Article

Zhou Shifeng: Chinese law firm founder jailed for subversion
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