SHANGHAI ACTIVIST MAO HENGFENG SENTENCED

C O N F I D E N T I A L SHANGHAI 000055 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/CM AND DRL/PHD NSC FOR WILDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/25/2032 TAGS: PHUM PGOV CH SUBJECT: SHANGHAI ACTIVIST MAO HENGFENG SENTENCED REF: 2006 SHANGHAI 7126 AND PREVIOUS CLASSIFIED BY: Veomayoury Baccam , Acting Section Chief, Political/Economic Section, U.S. Consulate Shanghai. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) In a meeting with Poloff on January 25, Shanghai civil activist Wu Xuewei confirmed that his wife and civil activist, Mao Hengfeng, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison on charges of destroying property. The Yangpu People's court convicted Mao of damaging two lamps valued at 6,400 RMB (820 USD). According to Wu, the two-hour trial was marked by a number of irregularities. One of Mao's two lawyers was refused entry to the trial and Mao's supporters, many of whom were petitioners, were also forced to stand outside the courtroom. He said that there were approximately 300 supporters at the courthouse. He added that the government had packed the courtroom with officials and other people Wu did not recognize to prevent Mao's supporters from entering the room. He and his two daughters were allowed to attend the trial but were not given a chance to speak with Mao. This was the first time that Wu had seen his wife since she was detained in March 2006. ¶2. (C) Wu believed that the harsh sentencing was politically motivated. Prosecutors never produced any receipts for the lamps and refused the family's offer to pay for the damages in return for dismissing the case. Wu added that if Mao was to serve her full sentence, she would not be released until after the 2008 Olympics. Wu planned on filing an appeal but had little hope that the appeal would be successful. He said his main concern now was how Mao would be treated in prison. He noted that Mao was beaten during her previous stint in prison and worried that she would receive the same harsh treatment again. JARRETT