PHOTO: Dozens of police deployed to block the more than 200 people who wanted to support Fan Mugen at the beginning of his trial.
Chinese police must stop cracking down on hundreds of people supporting a man on trial for killing two members of a demolition team who broke into his home and beat up his family in a violent forced eviction, Amnesty International has declared.
On Wednesday, dozens of police officers were deployed to prevent more than 300 Supporters of Fan Mugen attend the start of his trial at the Suzhou Municipal Intermediate People's Court, in eastern China.
Fan Mugen says he acted in self-defense. However, He is accused of “intentional injuries”, crime that can carry the death penalty. The case has touched the hearts of people across the country., where violent forced evictions remain a significant problem.
“Forced evictions are a cause of widespread discontent throughout China. Fan Mugen's supporters have the right to support him and talk about the trial, and the police should not prevent him from doing so.", declared William Nee, China researcher at Amnesty International.
Wednesday afternoon, Local officials beat Fan Yongqiang in front of the court headquarters, son of Fan Mugen. She further , a member of Fan's legal team —Lawyer Wang Yu— He was also temporarily detained on Wednesday afternoon. On Monday the police had detained at least five activists who support Fan, who are currently in administrative detention.
“This trial is a litmus test for the authorities to demonstrate that the rule of law is above particular interests.”. Unfortunately, it seems that the police, local authorities and courts are doing everything they can to prevent Fan from having a full defense. It is highly unlikely that he will receive a fair trial.", William Nee added..
Hundreds of Fan supporters are expected to try again to attend the three-day trial on Thursday..
Fan is accused of killing two members of a demolition team made up of at least a dozen men armed with steel bars who broke into his family home. in December 2013. Fan called the police several times, that finally appeared, but it did not stop the team from attacking Fan and his family.
According to Fan, The demolition team continued its attack, that his wife's arm was broken and that he and his son suffered head injuries, while the auxiliary police did nothing. Finally, Fan says he responded in self-defense and killed two of the demolition team members with a knife..
The incident occurred in the context of a large urbanization project, during which Fan and his family had refused to leave and accept what they considered insufficient compensation.
Según Wang Yu, one of Fan's lawyers, The court refuses to accept evidence of the injuries Fan's wife suffered during the attack and that, according to lawyers, It is key evidence to prove that Fan acted in self-defense.
“President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called on the courts to make independent and fair decisions in cases like this, in accordance with Chinese laws and procedures, But it seems that these calls fall on deaf ears at the local level.”, concluded William Nee.
On Monday, in another trial against six of the members of the demolition team, accused of “provoking fights and disputes”, The family's lawyers were initially prevented from attending the proceedings., that they could only enter halfway through, after filing a complaint with the prosecutor.
in 2012 Amnesty International released a report highlighting the rise in forced evictions in China, that lead to deaths, beatings, harassment and imprisonment of residents forced to leave their homes, both in the countryside and in the cities. Local councils and property developers continue to hire thugs armed with steel bars and knives to beat up residents.
