Mr. He Hongchun’s child died in the Sichuan earthquake 14 months ago. His repeated appeals for justice got him three years imprisonment camp and five years of probation for “gathering a crowd to disturb public order.” The Beichuan County Court delivered the above verdict on July 9 after a year's worth of trials.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), Mr. He’s lawyer and other parents whose children died in the earthquake were unsatisfied with the verdict. He said on Friday, July 10, that he was really tired and wanted to rest for awhile before making future plans. He’s brother-in-law disclosed that he would appeal the verdict.
The RFA report also quoted Mr. He’s attorney, Li Fangping, as saying that the court presented no evidence on the charge. “The prosecutor charged Mr. He without presenting any evidence. The court did not request the prosecutor to supply evidence before the decision. Normally, a probation is given when the defendant pleads guilty but Mr. He never pleaded guilty. I see this verdict as a way to suppress parents who demand compensation,” said Mr. Li. Read more.