Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BEIJING24498
2006-12-13 13:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Beijing
Cable title:
HUMAN RIGHTS: GAO ZHISHENG REPORTEDLY ADMITS GUILT
how-toVZCZCXRO3946 OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC DE RUEHBJ #4498 3471311 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 131311Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2993 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 024498
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2031
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: GAO ZHISHENG REPORTEDLY ADMITS GUILT
ON CHARGE OF "INCITING SUBVERSION" IN SURPRISE TRIAL
Classified By: Political Internal Unit Chief Susan Thornton. Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 024498
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2031
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: GAO ZHISHENG REPORTEDLY ADMITS GUILT
ON CHARGE OF "INCITING SUBVERSION" IN SURPRISE TRIAL
Classified By: Political Internal Unit Chief Susan Thornton. Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Beijing-based democracy activist Hu Jia told poloff
December 13 that Gao Zhisheng, a Beijing-based lawyer who has
angered Chinese Government authorities by defending
dissidents in politically sensitive cases, was tried in
Beijing Number One Intermediate Court and admitted guilt on a
charge of "incitement to subvert the government" on December
12. On December 11, the Beijing court told Gao's lawyers Mo
Shaoping and Ding Xihui that Gao had refused to be
represented by counsel and the court declined to open case
files and records to the lawyers. The court failed to give
Gao's lawyers or family notice of the trial, thus depriving
them of an opportunity to attend, Mo reported.
2. (C) Two court-appointed lawyers represented Gao at the
December 12 trial, according to Mo. Mo stressed that he
never had an opportunity to meet with Gao, discuss the
criminal charge against him or see the indictment or evidence
in the case. According to Mo, the fact that the court
declared Gao's trial "open" on December 12 shows that the
court violated the law when it refused Gao access to counsel
when his case was being investigated. The court earlier
refused to allow Mo and Ding to meet with Gao on grounds that
his case concerned state secrets. A Chinese official told Mo
that Gao has admitted guilt but Mo, unable to see or talk
with Gao, has not independently confirmed this. It is not
clear when Gao's sentence will be announced.
3. (C) Hu Jia told poloff that, despite Mo's commitment to
Gao's defense, he is concerned about drawing security
officials' ire. Mo reportedly warned Gao's wife that
international media focus on Gao's case may adversely affect
Gao's sentence. Lawyer Ding Xikui, who is scheduled to begin
an IV program focusing on legal reform in January 2007, fears
that his involvement in Gao's case may lead authorities to
harass or detain him, according to Hu.
Randt
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL, EAP/CM
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/13/2031
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV CH
SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS: GAO ZHISHENG REPORTEDLY ADMITS GUILT
ON CHARGE OF "INCITING SUBVERSION" IN SURPRISE TRIAL
Classified By: Political Internal Unit Chief Susan Thornton. Reasons 1
.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Beijing-based democracy activist Hu Jia told poloff
December 13 that Gao Zhisheng, a Beijing-based lawyer who has
angered Chinese Government authorities by defending
dissidents in politically sensitive cases, was tried in
Beijing Number One Intermediate Court and admitted guilt on a
charge of "incitement to subvert the government" on December
12. On December 11, the Beijing court told Gao's lawyers Mo
Shaoping and Ding Xihui that Gao had refused to be
represented by counsel and the court declined to open case
files and records to the lawyers. The court failed to give
Gao's lawyers or family notice of the trial, thus depriving
them of an opportunity to attend, Mo reported.
2. (C) Two court-appointed lawyers represented Gao at the
December 12 trial, according to Mo. Mo stressed that he
never had an opportunity to meet with Gao, discuss the
criminal charge against him or see the indictment or evidence
in the case. According to Mo, the fact that the court
declared Gao's trial "open" on December 12 shows that the
court violated the law when it refused Gao access to counsel
when his case was being investigated. The court earlier
refused to allow Mo and Ding to meet with Gao on grounds that
his case concerned state secrets. A Chinese official told Mo
that Gao has admitted guilt but Mo, unable to see or talk
with Gao, has not independently confirmed this. It is not
clear when Gao's sentence will be announced.
3. (C) Hu Jia told poloff that, despite Mo's commitment to
Gao's defense, he is concerned about drawing security
officials' ire. Mo reportedly warned Gao's wife that
international media focus on Gao's case may adversely affect
Gao's sentence. Lawyer Ding Xikui, who is scheduled to begin
an IV program focusing on legal reform in January 2007, fears
that his involvement in Gao's case may lead authorities to
harass or detain him, according to Hu.
Randt