(Photo : Xu Zhiyong in the middle)

Xu Zhiyong is a prominent person known for his role as a human rights advocate. Last Tuesday, was charged with causing order disruption by assembling a crowd in a public place. This is confirmed by his wife, Cui Zheng, as she was interviewed over the phone.

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Liu Weiguo, the legal representative of Xu, stated that he was puzzled to hear the charges. Xu is already accustomed to police pressure so assembling a crowd to start a commotion is very unlikely.

Liu said, "As I understand it, he's been under house arrest for 70 or 80 days or longer, so how could it be possible for him to engage in so-called disruption of public order? It's mystifying,"

"Many of his friends feel shocked that someone as mild, restrained and softly spoken as he can't be tolerated."

Liu is planning to talk to the right advocate to clear the matter first-hand. He hoped his meeting with Xiu on Thursday would vindicate his defense as the penalty in this case may result to five years of prison.

Xiu Zhiyong is known to promote the 'New Citizens' Movement.' This movement focuses on demanding the public authorities to disclose their wealth. Some advocates of the movement were already arrested and may be put on a trial soon. The arrest of Xiu may bring wider attention to supporters, in which a network of lawyer plans to do actions to safeguard political and social rights.

Guo Yushan, a fellow advocate expresses his opinion saying, "To arrest someone like him will have a big social impact and impose a heavy price on the authorities, especially if he's tried and convicted, and that seems possible,"

"He's been a moderate, arguing for opportunities to work for change within the system. But it looks like the authorities are determined to act, despite the price. We can all feel the pressure. I've also been under house arrest for the past two weeks."

 "Many lawyers will come forward to defend him for the public good and for rule of law. In China, we say that the best lawyers are the ones who can't obtain a license."