From Agence France-Presse via France24, July 28:
A Chinese court sentenced agricultural tycoon Sun Dawu to 18 years in jail on Wednesday for a catalogue of crimes including "provoking trouble" after the outspoken billionaire and grassroots rights supporter was tried in secret.
The court in Gaobeidian near Beijing said Sun was found guilty of crimes including "gathering a crowd to attack state organs," "obstructing government administration" and "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," a catch-all term often used against dissidents.
He was detained by police in November along with 19 relatives and business associates after his firm was embroiled in a land dispute with a state-owned competitor.
The charismatic Sun built one of China's biggest private agriculture companies with his wife from a few chickens and pigs in the 1980s.....
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Nebulous misdemeanor + wrongthink = terrorism against the state = 18 years.
