10 Apr 2012

Chinese activist jailed for fraud and 'making trouble'

Chinese lawyer Ni Yulan, disabled after police beating, and her husband Dong Jiqin have been jailed a year after they were detained. Ms Ni was sentenced to two years and eight months, while her husband was handed a two-year term.

Ni-Yulan-and-Dong-Jiqin

The couple are known for providing legal help to people whose homes have been seized by the government. They were jailed on charges of "picking quarrels, provoking trouble and wilfully destroying private and public property", a court spokesman said. The couple were detained last April as authorities rounded up scores of activists amid online calls for protests similar to those taking place at the time in the Arab world.

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