Democracy activist Zhao Fengsheng of Hunan will be sentenced on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 for “inciting subversion of state power.” His attorney, Chen Xuan, sent a message saying: “I’m unable to attend Zhao’s trial because the hearing of Guo Feixiong and Sun Desheng on the criminal charge of “assembling a mob to disturb public order” is also scheduled for the same day. I ask that those who have time please attend the hearing as observers. ”
Zhao Fengsheng, born in 1977, is from the Yao Autonomous County in Yongzhou, Hunan Province. In collaboration with more than 50 farmers, he initiated the China National Farmers’ Association and submitted an application for its establishment to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. He also set up a night school for young migrant workers, created a network of Chinese farmers and published many articles on farmers and the life of migrant workers. He was driven out of Beijing by the Beijing police. Upon returning to his hometown, he set up a farmers’ cooperative, which was closed due to financial problems. After that, he started to make a living by riding a goods-moving tricycle but was often harassed by city auxiliary police. He once wrote an article expressing desire to give up his Chinese citizenship and become a citizen of the Republic of China on Taiwan.
On November 27, 2013, Zhao Fengsheng published an article “Northern Expedition Call to Arms.” The day before, he had published “Zhao Fengsheng’s Open Letter to the Leaders of the Turkestan Islamic Party.” These two articles led to his being taken away from his home in Hengyang County by the police on the morning of November 28, 2013. They also seized his computer and other items. On November 29 his family received a notice of detention, which stated that Zhao Fengsheng was put under criminal detention for “suspicion of subversion of state power” and was held at the Hengyang County Detention Center. On January 7, 2014, Zhao Fengsheng was formally arrested. His charge was changed from “suspicion of subversion of state power” at the time of his detention to “endangering public security.” Since the case was filed with the court, his criminal charge has become “inciting subversion of state power.”
At 9:30 a.m. on June 10, 2014, the Hengyang Municipal Intermediate People’s Court heard Zhao Fengsheng’s case. Zhao Fengsheng’s wife Quan Haiyan and more than 20 netizens from across the country attended as observers. Because his attorney pointed out problems with the court proceedings, the hearing date was continued to June 17. The defense attorney entered a plea of not guilty. Zhao Fengsheng also maintained his innocence in his closing statement. On the day of his trial more than 30 netizens came to the courthouse to show their support.
Five months after the second trial, Hengyang Intermediate People’s Court announced that the sentencing would take place on November 28, 2014, exactly one year from the date Zhao Fengsheng was first detained.
