rthk.hk - Instant NewsToday, 12:42 PM
A prominent mainland human rights lawyer has "confessed guilt" a week after being detained in a massive crackdown on legal activists, state media said.
Zhou Shifeng is one of more than 130 lawyers detained or called for questioning by state security officials this month, according to tallies by rights groups.
The lawyer provided legal aid to families of children poisoned by milk powder from a powerful dairy firm, and this year defended an 81-year-old writer detained for criticising the Communist Party.
Mr Zhou has reportedly not been able to meet a family-appointed defence attorney. But Xinhua news Agency said he "admitted guilt," and pleaded for a "second chance."
"Some things about my actions at the law firm were illegal... my mistakes were serious," the report cited Mr Zhou as saying, apparently while in police custody.
Xinhua said that nine other lawyers connected to Mr Zhou's law firm Fengrui had been detained on criminal charges, along with several associates.
The detained lawyers "gave interviews to foreign media, spreading opinions attacking the party and the government, slandering the legal system and other such negative views," it added.
http://rthk.hk/rthk/news/englishnews/20150719/news_20150719_56_1117208.htm
