Pu Zhiqiang

Prominent Chinese lawyer Pu Zhiqiang, was convicted by a Beijing court on Dec. 22 for what most observers consider dubious and politically-inspired charges.

Chinese protesters and foreign rights groups said Pu Zhiqiang’s trial at the No. 2 Beijing Intermediate Court amounted to political persecution, and foreign governments including the U.S. called for his release

A prominent Chinese rights lawyer taken into custody a year ago was formally indicted Friday on charges of fanning ethnic hatred and provoking troubles.

Beijing human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang has publicly denounced the Communist Party’s recently-retired security chief Zhou Yongkang, calling him a “poison” of society.