Dissident declares innocence in China courtroomGo Asia Pacific Aug 4, 2003 The trial of an American-based Chinese scholar accused of espionage has ended behind closed doors without a verdict. Yang Jianli, 40, appeared in court after 15 months in detention to declare himself innocent of both spying and an additional charge of entering China illegally. The trial - seen as an important test case for the new Chinese government's views on dissent - lasted three hours. Mr Yang's lawyer says under normal circumstances a verdict should be handed down within six weeks. The dissident was detained in April last year after he travelled to China on a friend's passport in an attempt to observe ongoing labor unrest. His lawyer said Mr Yang declared himself innocent of illegal entry, since as a Chinese citizen he has a right to return to his home country. The lawyer also said the spying charge was spurious and based on activities that took place a decade ago. Observers say the punishment meted out to Mr Yang may help show whether China's political climate has changed after a new generation of leaders took over earlier this year.
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