Shandong human rights activist Li Xiangyang was sentenced by the authorities in the first instance for “obstructing official duties”, as he had helped farmers protect their rights, which touched upon official interests. Nevertheless, he was not subjected to criminal punishment. Li Xiangyang filed an appeal and hired lawyer Lin Qilei to defend him. The Intermediate People’s Court of Linyi in Shandong Province obstructed by claiming that Lin Qilei could not serve as the defense counsel in the second instance.
Informant Xu Xin told Epoch Times that the Yishui County Court in Shandong found Li Xiangyang guilty of “obstructing official duties” in the first trial, but due to the minor nature of the offense, he was not criminally punished. Currently, Li Xiangyang is under bail pending trial.
“Li Xiangyang is clearly innocent,” said Xu Xin. For many years, Li Xiangyang has persisted in reporting the corrupt behavior of the government and officials in Yishui County, helping the people to resist and defend their rights, thus offending a large number of corrupt officials. The court persecuted him under false pretenses as an act of retaliation.
After the first instance verdict, Li Xiangyang appealed and hired lawyer Lin Qilei as his defense counsel, but was hindered by the Intermediate People’s Court of Linyi.
Xu Xin said, “The Linyi Intermediate People’s Court is violating the law. The second trial has not been held yet, depriving Li Xiangyang of his right to defense.”
Li Xiangyang’s friend Chen Jie said that Lin Qilei is a well-known human rights lawyer, and the authorities are afraid of him, hence not allowing him to defend Li Xiangyang in court. “Lin Qilei also said that if there’s a trial, he will still provide assistance outside the courtroom. It doesn’t hinder his defense, just transferring the defense venue from inside the court to outside.”
Lawyer Lin Qilei also stated in his WeChat Moments: Li Xiangyang is a defender of human rights who diligently practices citizen’s rights and consciousness, bravely saying no to illegal state power and helping the vulnerable protect their rights. Therefore, I am willing to continue accompanying him along this journey.
Li Xiangyang, a retired teacher from Linyi, Shandong Province, was arrested in September 2025 for assisting Yishui County farmers in their rights protection against a fertilizer dealer.
The incident began when local farmers used toxic fertilizer, causing about 3,000 acres of farmland to fail. The farmers approached the fertilizer dealer and the government multiple times, but to no avail, seeking Li Xiangyang’s assistance in protecting their rights. With his help, progress was made in the related cases, 4 suspects were arrested, and the farmers received some compensation. However, Li Xiangyang also offended local corrupt bureaucrats in the process.
On the morning of September 9, 2025, Li Xiangyang arrived at the Ruihai Hotel in Shandong where the Central Inspection Team was stationed, ready to submit documents. Upon arrival, he was surrounded and beaten by a group of unidentified men and was then forcibly taken to the Yishui County Public Security Bureau, detained on charges of “obstructing official duties”, and later arrested.
In February 2026, Li Xiangyang was released on bail pending trial; in June, the first instance ruled that he was guilty of “obstructing official duties”, but he was not criminally punished.
Chen Jie criticized that various levels of local departments colluded and collectively suppressed Li Xiangyang. “They are all in cahoots, not observing the facts, evidence, or the law. They fabricate evidence, which makes people feel unjust.”
(Interviewees are all pseudonyms)