CHENGDU, China — Lu Siwei, a prominent Chinese rights lawyer who faced international attention for his legal work, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after a private trial concluded Friday, according to his wife, Zhang Chunxiao. The Chenghua District Court in Chengdu also imposed a 10,000 yuan ($1,370) fine on Lu, who was charged with illegal border crossing.
Lu, 52, was apprehended in the Lao capital of Vientiane in July 2023 when attempting to join his family in the United States, despite possessing a valid U.S. visa and Chinese passport. He was detained in Laos for over a month before being forcibly returned to China, a move that has spotlighted the reach of Chinese authority beyond its borders.
Previously an insurance attorney, Lu gained recognition for handling several high-profile and politically sensitive cases, including the defense of one of the Hong Kong activists arrested and jailed in Guangdong province. The activist was part of a group attempting to flee to Taiwan by boat in 2020.
In 2021, Chinese authorities revoked Lu’s legal license and barred him from international travel due to his involvement in human rights cases. Subsequently, he encountered continuous surveillance and harassment.
Rights organizations have expressed concerns that Lu’s arrest and deportation exemplify China’s strategy of transnational repression to control dissent. According to reports, Lu was initially released on “bail pending trial” in late October 2023 and was re-arrested in October 2024 as Chinese officials proceeded to formally press charges.
During his trial, Lu’s legal team advocated for a sentence reduction, citing his previous detention period in Laos. These appeals, however, were not granted. Considering the time already served, Lu’s wife anticipates he will remain in custody until at least August 9.
Outside the court during the trial, access was severely restricted, with no spectator passes issued and friends of Lu reportedly faced diversions orchestrated by the authorities. Uniformed and plainclothes police were visible, maintaining a strict perimeter around the court premises, an anonymous Chengdu-based activist disclosed.
The difficulty in gaining access to the trial, along with reports of audience members being ousted and intimidated, has fueled further criticism of the proceedings’ transparency and fairness.
Lu is expected to appeal the sentence as his legal representatives and family continue to lobby for a more public and accountable legal process.
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