Ex-lawyer tells of his rumors shame
Print Edition
JIANG Tianyong, a former Beijing-based lawyer, confessed to inciting subversion of state power when he stood trial in Changsha, central China’s Hunan Province, yesterday.
During the trial, Jiang, 46, said his rights had been protected during the investigation and denied rumors he had been tortured.
Telling the judges he was ashamed, Jiang also said he had fabricated rumors that a former Hunan lawyer, Xie Yang, had been tortured by Chinese authorities.
Jiang said he had fabricated the accounts to seek benefits and fame.
Prosecutors had accused Jiang of making defamatory statements about the government, judiciary and political system on multiple occasions on the Internet and in overseas media.
Jiang intentionally exaggerated a number of “sensitive cases,” distorted facts, and incited others to cause trouble in public places, according to the indictment.
He was also accused of colluding with anti-China forces overseas and inciting hostility toward the government.
Prosecutors said his crimes had seriously harmed national security and social stability.
Since 2009, Jiang made over 33,000 posts on social media, including Twitter and Sina Weibo, with 214 direct attacks on the government.
In 2016, on learning of the trial of Zhou Shifeng, a former lawyer convicted of subverting state power, Jiang used overseas social media service Telegram to incite others to “crowd and make trouble” at the trial court.
He also slandered China’s judiciary in an interview with Voice of America.
In another case, Jiang instigated Zhang Kai, a former lawyer being investigated for disrupting public order, and Zhang’s family to confront the judiciary. He obtained cash and a cellphone worth a total of 23,326 yuan (US$3,504) from anti-China forces overseas to sponsor Zhang.
After Xie Yang had been placed under “compulsory measures” on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power, Jiang instructed Xie’s wife, Chen Guiqiu, to fabricate a series of articles about Xie being tortured during detention. Jiang even polished some of the articles.
Xie stood trial for inciting subversion of state power and disrupting court order in May, and told the court he had not been coerced into a confession nor had he been subjected to torture.
The indictment also accused Jiang of exaggerating a case in Shandong Province.
In his final statement, Jiang pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.
“I feel ashamed and regret for what I have done in the past ... I am willing to receive due punishment from deep in my heart,” he said.
He also expressed regret to the country and society as well as to his parents, wife and daughter, saying that he hoped the court would give him a chance to start afresh and rectify his wrongdoing.
A pre-trial meeting was also held before yesterday’s hearing.
During Jiang’s trial, evidence that included documents and witness testimonies, as well as audio, visual and digital materials, were presented by prosecutors in court, along with Jiang’s statements.
The defendant and his lawyers, Yang Jielin and Zeng Jie, examined the evidence, and both sides are said to have fully expressed their opinion in court.
Over 40 people, including Jiang’s family, legislators, political advisors, domestic and overseas journalists, and members of the public, attended court.
Videos of the trial were published on the Changsha Intermediate People’s Court Weibo account.
A verdict will be announced on a later date.
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