Beijing - China yesterday tried two leading pro-democracy activists, Mr Wang Youcai and Mr Qin Yongmin, for subversion amid tight security. There were angry public protests from relatives and onlookers that the trials were neither fair nor open.
The two men's separate trials ended after less than three hours without a verdict and with no announcement of further court sessions. Court officials in both cities said the judges needed to "consider" the evidence before further action was taken.
But Mr Wang was hindered from speaking in his own defence after prosecutors presented letters and articles he wrote on the formation of the opposition China Democracy Party (CDP), his wife Ms Hu Jiangxia said.