Human Rights: Guo Feixiong May Stand Trial Again;

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUANGZHOU 000962

SIPDIS

C O N F I D E N T I A L

SIPDIS
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM AND DRL
PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2032
TAGS: PHUM PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Human Rights: Guo Feixiong May Stand Trial Again;
Wife Sends Open Letter to Hu Jintao

Ref: Guangzhou 797


1. (U) Classified by Acting Principal Officer Mike Jacobsen.
Reason 1.4 (d).


2. (C) SUMMARY: The trial of Guo Feixiong, previously
thought to have ended, has been placed on hold to allow
investigators additional time to turn up new evidence. A
new trial date, if granted, would likely be in late
September. In a letter to Hu Jintao, Guo's wife details
the unfair nature of the case against her husband and asks
for assistance. END SUMMARY.


3. (C) Jailed democracy activist Guo Feixiong may once
again stand trial in late September, according to Guo's
wife, Zhang Qing. In an August 28 telephone conversation
with a consulate political assistant, Zhang said that Guo's
legal case is still pending because the prosecutor
requested an additional ten weeks for investigators to turn
up new evidence.


4. (C) Reftel states that Guo was awaiting sentencing
following his conviction for "illegal business practices."
However, Zhang's new comments seem to indicate that Guo's
trial is not yet over. NOTE: It is common in China for
judges of important or sensitive trials to recess the court
to allow additional investigation, especially if the
prosecution's case is found wanting. END NOTE. In Guo's
case, there is no indication of why the prosecution
requested the extra time.


5. (C) Additionally, in a previous meeting with Poloff,
Guo's friend and fellow democracy activist Tang Jingling
said he believed that the government would try to resolve
Guo's case before the October party congress, which would
also suggest a late-September trial date.


6. (C) On August 7 Guo was granted access to his lawyer,
who indicated to Zhang that Guo was in good health.
According to the lawyer's report to Zhang, Guo appears not
to have suffered abuse in prison or at the hands of
authorities since before his July 9 trial (Reftel).


7. (SBU) At the request of her husband, Zhang penned an
open letter to President of China Hu Jintao complaining of
Guo's unfair treatment in prison and the prosecution's use
of false witnesses during the trial. The full text of the
letter, which was confirmed delivered to Hu's office on
August 24, may be viewed (in Chinese) at
http://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shenrubaodao/2007 /08/14/guofeix
iong/. Zhang still awaits a response.


JACOBSEN