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Chinese civil rights activist Xu Zhiyong accused of plotting ‘colour revolution’ to subvert state power
- Xu has been in detention for more than 20 months, but an informed source says he remains in ‘good spirits’ and has no plans to plead guilty
- Indictment issued by prosecutors in Shandong accuses him and fellow activist Ding Jiaxi of organising ‘citizen’s movement’ to subvert the state
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The prominent Chinese civil rights activist Xu Zhiyong has been accused of plotting a “colour revolution” to subvert state power, according to an official indictment.
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Xu, 48, has been held in detention for more than 20 months, including at a centre in Linshu county in Shandong province, but according to an informed source he is in “good health and spirits”.
“He is a man of unshakeable belief, this is what keeps him going so long. He is not at all concerned with his indictment and has no plan to plead guilty,” said the source, who cannot be named due to sensitivity of the case.
“He genuinely believes that a better China will come if every citizen lives out the true spirit of citizenship.”
Xu has spent years campaigning to raise awareness of civil rights, making him a frequent target for the state.
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