Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, known for his advocacy work, faced a trial in Chenghua District Court in Chengdu on April 18, accused of “illegal border crossing.” Lu Siwei was sentenced to 11 months in prison and fined 10,000 RMB. He plans to appeal the verdict.
According to Radio Free Asia, the trial of Lu Siwei took place at 10:30 am in Chenghua District Court in Chengdu on the 18th. Two defense lawyers provided a defense of innocence and cited legal provisions for deducting time spent in foreign detention, but their arguments were not accepted by the judge. This means that Lu Siwei will have to serve his sentence until at least August 2025 without considering the time he was arbitrarily detained in Laos.
A rights activist in Chengdu, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that there were multiple police cars parked outside the court on the day of the trial. Police officers and plainclothes personnel were constantly observing passersby, creating a tense atmosphere outside the court, which deterred him from approaching.
The China Aid Association learned that the courtroom was filled with 32 unidentified individuals, while local lawyers from Chengdu were warned by authorities not to attend the trial as observers. Lawyer Ran Tong, who was scheduled to testify in support of Lu Siwei, was also prevented from leaving to provide testimony by the public security department. Nevertheless, several foreign embassy staff members were present outside the court to monitor the proceedings.
During a noon interview with Radio Free Asia, Zhang Chunxiao stated, “The trial started at 10:30 am today, there was no permission for observers, they (Lu Siwei’s friends) were not allowed to go. I learned that they were being interrogated, forbidden to travel, and warned, so how could there be observers? The lawyers have been striving for an open trial, but on the pre-trial meeting on April 16, some people tried to observe but were driven out.”
Lu Siwei’s wife, Zhang Chunxiao, criticized the authorities on social media platform X, expressing dissatisfaction that while they hinted at lifting the border control soon, they still chose to press charges again, a tactic she described as despicable and insane. She mentioned that she learned online that lawyers and friends in Chengdu were interrogated, warned, and admonished, while consulate staff could only stand at a distance outside the court, and anonymous “extras” filled the courtroom. She questioned the motives of those involved and lamented the lack of conscience.
At 52 years old, Lu Siwei gained attention in his early career for his involvement in the defense of the Chengdu “8964” liquor case. He represented Zhang Junyong, one of the “Four Gentlemen of Chengdu,” and handled a series of cases involving alleged “incitement to subvert state power,” including those of Yu Wensheng, Wang Zang, Qin Yongpei, and Chen Jiahong.
In 2017, Lu Siwei initiated a citizen signature campaign advocating for the establishment of an independent investigation committee to look into the alleged torture in the “709 cases” and to disclose the investigation findings. As a result, he faced repeated summonses, threats, and travel restrictions. In 2021, he defended individuals involved in the “12 Hong Kong Youth” case and subsequently had his legal practicing license revoked by authorities.
In July 2023, Lu Siwei traveled to Laos through Thailand to reunite with his wife and daughter in the United States. However, he was arrested by local authorities in Laos, deported back to China two months later, and detained in Chengdu Xin Du Detention Center. After a month on bail pending trial, he was put under house arrest at a designated location.
On October 10, 2024, Lu Siwei was formally arrested by the Chenghua Sub-Bureau of the Chengdu Public Security Bureau on the charge of “illegal border crossing” and has remained detained in Chengdu until now. His case has sparked serious concerns and strong condemnation from the international community regarding the Chinese authorities’ cross-border repression of human rights lawyers.
Director of the Asian Lawyers Network, Pan Jiawei, sharply criticized the situation in an interview with China National Radio, pointing out that the unchecked behavior of the Chinese Communist Party extends beyond China’s borders and calling on the international community to condemn and remain vigilant.
Noting Lu Siwei’s predicament, Chinese human rights lawyer Chen Jiangang, currently residing in the United States, highlighted the erosion of rights outlined in the UN Human Rights Covenant, indicating the loss of the right to leave one’s country of residence. He emphasized the challenges faced by human rights defenders in China, including the loss of work rights, freedom of communication, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech, particularly when their livelihood is threatened, illustrating the current grim state of human rights in China.