Activist tried after exposing abuse of China's one-child policy

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2006

BEIJING (AFP) — China has staged a brief trial for a blind activist who angered authorities by exposing forced late-term abortions and other abuses of the nation's one-child policy, his wife said.

Chen Guangcheng's trial in eastern China's Shandong province began and ended Friday afternoon, lasting around two hours, his wife, Yuan Weijing, told AFP, adding she believed there was little chance of him receiving a fair hearing.

The proceedings were held amid heavy security, with Yuan and Chen's lawyers barred from attending, according to his wife and a Hong Kong based human rights group.

"As soon as I left home I was dragged back, there were four police cars and more than 10 police officers," Yuan said by telephone.

"I have a right to attend his...