Society

Lawyer jailed for falsifying evidence in gang trial

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-08 13:35

CHONGQING: Beijing lawyer Li Zhuang was jailed for two years and a half Friday for giving false evidence and inciting others to bear false witness in an organized crime gang trial in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The verdict was handed down by a court of first instance in Jiangbei district Friday morning.

A statement from the court said 34 alleged gang members headed by Gong Gangmo were charged in Chongqing with organized crime offences on November 20, 2009. On November 22 and 25, Gong's wife and cousin signed contracts with Beijing Kang Da Law Firm in Beijing. Then the law firm assigned Li Zhuang, together with Ma Xiaojun, to defend Gong.

On November 24 and 26 and December 4 when Li visited Gong in Jiangbei district detention house, Li urged Gong to reverse his former confession and to fabricate an accusation of torture by the police during interrogation.

On December 3, Li incited a local lawyer named Wu Jiayou to offer a bribe to a policeman in order to make the policeman to give false evidence of the fabricated allegation of torture against Gong.

Li's lawyer Gao Zicheng told reporters that he believed Li would appeal against the ruling.