Convicted Chongqing Lawyer Appeals Case

A Beijing-based lawyer, Li Zhuang, appealed to the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate Court on January 18, ten days after he was sentenced to imprisonment for allegedly falsifying evidence and interfering with witness testimony.

On January 8, the local court gave Li two years and six months in prison for advising his client, Gong Gangmo, a suspected gang leader, to falsely claim Gong had been tortured by police and encouraging other witnesses to lie.

In the appeal, Li and his attorney, Gao Zicheng, argued that proceedings in the trial went against court procedure because eight witnesses cited by the defense did not appear at the court hearing. Gao said the eight had been detained or intimidated by Chongqing police. Additionally, evidence provided by the prosecutor against Li during his trial was put into question.

Full Article in Chinese: http://policy.caing.com/2010-01-18/100109248.html

(Translated by GC)