Ji Zhongjiu, a defense lawyer for Jiangsu dissident Xu Qin, sent an urgent appeal online on August 6, saying that Xu Qin had not been able to get a trial by the Yangzhou Municipal Court on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power,” and that the defendant’s family and defender’s request for bail and a speedy trial had been denied. The defense lawyer also filed a complaint against the president of the Yangzhou Intermediate Court and three judges.

Zhou Fengsuo, chairman of the U.S. civil rights group Humane China, said he had been very concerned about Xu Qin’s situation: “Xu Qin’s repeated extensions by the court are actually illegal detention. She was no longer able to move on her own, urinate or defecate (unable to take care of herself), and now it was difficult to even eat, and you can imagine her torture in prison. What is very remarkable is that her lawyer, Ji Zhongjiu, has issued a complaint against the judge and the president for dereliction of duty, causing her current situation. It’s not easy. ”

Xu Qin is one of the founders of the Chinese non-governmental organization Chinese Rights Watch. On April 24, 2020, she was indicted by the Yangzhou Municipal Procuratorate in Jiangsu Province to the Yangzhou Intermediate Court on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” However, in the Case of Xu Qin, the Yangzhou Municipal Court, without giving reasons, applied to the Jiangsu Provincial High Court and the Supreme Court of China for a total of seven postponements, each time for a period of three months. On April 24 this year, the Yangzhou Intermediate People’s Court ruled to suspend the trial of Xu Qin’s case on the grounds of “force majeure” without giving a hearing.Xu Qin is one of the founders of the Chinese non-governmental organization Chinese Rights Watch. On April 24, 2020, she was indicted by the Yangzhou Municipal Procuratorate in Jiangsu Province to the Yangzhou Intermediate Court on suspicion of “inciting subversion of state power.” However, in the Case of Xu Qin, the Yangzhou Municipal Court, without giving reasons, applied to the Jiangsu Provincial High Court and the Supreme Court of China for a total of seven postponements, each time for a period of three months. On April 24 this year, the Yangzhou Intermediate People’s Court ruled to suspend the trial of Xu Qin’s case on the grounds of “force majeure” without giving a hearing.

Zhou Fengsuo appealed that more people should take action and put pressure on the Yangzhou Municipal Court: “Xu Qin’s situation is very worrying, reminiscent of Cao Shunli’s condition, he was seriously ill in prison, he has not been released, and he died soon after.” So now we all want as many people as possible to act together to rescue Xu Qin. ”

Chinese activist Cao Shunli was taken away by Beijing police in September 2013 and his physical condition deteriorated sharply while in detention, and authorities refused to treat Cao Shunli and seek medical parole in a timely manner. Eventually, Cao Shunli died in March 2014. In his urgent appeal and indictment posted online, Lawyer Ji Zhongjiu filed a complaint against Yangzhou Intermediate Court judges Huang Yuehua, Chen Shengyong, Yang Fan, and President Li Yuming, saying that the four accused had “abused their powers and dereliction of duty and other illegal acts.” At the end of the indictment, the words “This is the supreme people’s procuratorate” are written.

The reporter repeatedly called the mobile phone of lawyer Ji Zhongjiu, trying to consult the relevant details, but the phone has not been answered. The reporter also called Zhejiang Zuoqi Law Firm, where Ji Zhongjiu’s lawyer is located. Lawyer Ji Zhongjiu himself did not answer the phone, and the operator told reporters: “I can’t contact Lawyer Ji, and generally don’t accept direct consultation.” ”

When the reporter explicitly asked the operator whether he would like to be interviewed, the operator directly said: “I can’t contact Lawyer Ji, well, that’s it.””

Lawyer Ji Zhongjiu said in the “Reasons for Accusation” section of the indictment that the authorities’ indictment against Xu Qin had the statement that “the facts are clear and the evidence is sufficient” and that if the Yangzhou Intermediate Court suspends the trial of Xu Qin’s case on the basis of “force majeure”, it is “obviously that they are admitting that they have violated the law”. As a result, “the current detention of the accused is an extended period of detention, and the persons concerned may be involved in the crime of unlawful detention.” ”

The reporter called the Yangzhou Intermediate Court, but the phone was not answered. In the indictment, lawyer Ji Zhongjiu questioned the paralyzed Xu Qin, saying that if he continues to be detained, it will lead to lesions and injuries to various organs, what is the difference between this and killing people?” He also said that because the threat to Xu Qin’s health and life is particularly urgent, “I hope that the superior leaders will pay special attention to it and handle it as soon as possible.”

–Radio Free Asia report, Aug 9,2022,15:26 ET