Xu Zhiyong trial

Xu Zhiyong held a silent protest at his trial in January 2014. (Badiucao for CDT Chinese)

On January 25, civil society activist Xu Zhiyong was sentenced to four years in prison for “gathering crowds to disturb public order.” Almost a year earlier, members of Xu’s loosely organized New Citizens Movement held street protests calling on government officials to publicly disclose their financial assets. Xu was put under house arrest soon after these protests, which he was not involved in organizing. Through his lawyer, Zhang Qingfang, Xu said his sentence “wiped out the Chinese legal system’s last shred of dignity.”

Xu had for years worked within the system of China’s party-state to push for reforms and is considered moderate. He came to prominence in 2003, when he and several other rights defense lawyers successfully campaigned for the abolition of a form of detention that lead to the death of a young man. Xu founded of the Open Constitution Initiative, or Gongmeng, in the same year. The authorities eventually shut down Gongmeng and convicted Xu of “tax evasion” in 2009. He was released on bail.

The New Citizens Movement is more concept than real organization, a leaderless movement to discuss issues of governance in casual settings at public dinners. When questioned by the police about the New Citizens who protested last spring, Xu explained:

Citizen groups all around China are evolving independently, and act autonomously. I can only influence others, not control them. As for the four gentlemen detained for promoting financial disclosure, of course I am responsible. I initiated the movement. Although strategically I don’t agree with their particular method, their action was just, and anything but illegal. I’m responsible for following in their steps. If they are guilty, I ask for the same treatment right now.

各地公民群体自发成长，自治做事，我只能影响别人，而不能控制别人。至于推动财产公示被刑拘的四君子，我当然有责任，财产公示是我参与发起的行动。虽然策略上我不赞同他们的具体做法，但他们的行动是正义的，也根本谈不上什么非法集会罪，我有责任跟进。如果他们有罪的话，我现在就要求同罪。

Xu remained silent at his trial in protest of procedural flaws, but will appeal the decision.

中文资料：许志永案

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