2016/11/08
Meng Han is found guilty and sentenced to 1 year, 9 months.
This week, activist Meng Han was found guilty of “gathering a crowd to disturb social order” and has been given a 1 year and 9 month prison sentence. Since he has already been detained for 11 months, he will be released in September 2, 2017.
We strongly condemn this sentence handed down to Meng Han who was simply educating workers about their rights. Meng Han has already been detained for months with only sporadic access to a lawyer, and his family have been repeatedly harassed. We call for Meng Han to be released. We call for an end to the repression of workers rights and the persecution of activists and their families.
Meng Han's lawyer, Yan Xin, also has the following comments:
"Meng Han has been suspected of committing a crime to gather a mob to disturb social order case. The trial ended today and Meng Han got the sentence at court. Meng Han pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year and nine months. He expressed at court that he would not make any appeal. This case, after many ups and downs, the result suddenly came and the process was extremely tiresome. As a defender, I understand the pressure faced by Meng Han, and respect for his choice. As a lawyer, I independently issued my view to defend Meng that from subjective and objective aspects, it does not constitute a crime, but the court has not been adopted it. Blessing Meng Han, I wish him and his family safe and happy in future!"
November 3, 2016