Despite the change of the sentence from execution to suspension, which could possibly be changed to life term without parole, Amnesty International (AI) considers the high-profile case of Li Yan, 44, more of a political decision than one based on its legal merits.

AI Director for East Asia Nicholas Bequelin believes public outcry on the case and the push by women's right activists played greater role in the case.

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Li was the victim of marital abuse that started early in their marriage in 2009. Her face served as his ashtray where he stubbed out cigarettes, and her finger was the target practice of his butchering skills.

The battered wife sought the help of police and women's affairs officials but got none. Part of the blame is the lack of a structure since there are hardly any refuge for battered victims. For a country with a population of 1.3 billion, there are only 400 such shelters, and not all are operational.

After more than a year of domestic abuse, the last straw came in November 2010 when he threatened to shoot her with his air rifle. She fought back and used the weapon to end his life.

A year after she killed him, Li was meted the death sentence for her husband's murder. However, thanks to a high-profile campaign, the court ordered on Friday a two-year stay on the sentence, The Guardian reports.

The New York Times says two years of good behavior may result in the sentence being commuted to life term and further reduced later.

Nevertheless, AI is grateful for the stay because it is still a landmark case that could guide similar cases in the future. It also legitimizes public pressure on domestic violence cases, a long-ignored problem in China.

Beijing Qiaqian Law Firm, which represented Li, commented that while her sentence was suspended, it is not a light sentence since it is the second worst decision in a criminal case.

The decision comes at a time that a new sentencing guideline for domestic abuse victims was released by the Supreme Court and Parliament tackles a bill on domestic violence. The new guideline does not consider what Li did as murder.

However, for the family of her abusive dead husband, Tan Yong, it was murder. On Friday, at the Sichuan Province court room, upon hearing the verdict of Judge Huang Tianyong, the physical abuse continued as his relatives threw paper and shoes at Li and her lawyer and they shouted "Tramp" and "Traitor" while demanding for her execution. 

Tagsdomestic violence