China: Zhao Yan, a New York Times researcher held for the past 22 months on charges of leaking state secrets and fraud, went on trial behind closed doors yesterday in Beijing. He faces at least 10 years in jail if convicted.
Authorities have released no details of the case, which has brought world attention to bear on how China treats journalists. Rights activists say China jails more journalists than any other country, with at least 42 reporters behind bars, many on charges of violating undefined security or vague secrecy laws.
Mr Zhao, who denies the charges, was detained shortly after the newspaper ran a report saying ex-leader Jiang Zemin planned to retire as head of the army, clearing the way for President Hu Jintao to assume command of all the major state posts.
The case was dismissed in March shortly before Mr Hu's trip to Washington. However, Mr Zhao was kept in police custody, and a new investigation was launched soon after the visit ended. His lawyers said that under Chinese law, Mr Zhao should have been released regardless of whether a new investigation was under way.
One of his lawyers, Guan Anping, said the trial was being held at the Beijing Number Two Intermediate People's Court. He was originally scheduled to appear in court last Thursday, but the hearing was delayed.
"Because these kinds of cases are very special, the court seldom accepts the opinions of the defence," Mr Guan said, adding that his client was not in great health. Mr Zhao's family have not seen him since his detention in 2004. They asked to be allowed to appear in the courtroom but were told they could not attend.
The New York-based press rights group, the Committee to Protect Journalists, said it hoped the court did the right thing and released Mr Zhao, although the long period he had already spent in jail didn't give rise to optimism.
Fintan O'Toole: Weekend page 3
