Chinese activist's 'accidental death' sparks outrage

BEIJING - A Chinese court ruled Tuesday that the death of a village chief crushed by a truck in December was accidental, sparking outrage from those who insist he was murdered for his campaigning over land seizures.

The gruesome December 25 death of 53-year-old Qian Yunhui has rattled authorities at a time when the government is trying to tamp down public anger over a range of hot-button issues including official abuses and rising prices.

Qian had demanded compensation for farmers whose land was seized to make way for a power station and his death stirred passions after doubt was cast on the official version of events.

Court officials refused comment when contacted by AFP.

Qian had been detained three times since 2005 for repeatedly demanding compensation for farmers after nearly 150 hectares (370 acres) of land was seized, earlier reports said.

Gruesome photos posted online appeared to show Qian, who had been leader of Zhaiqiao village in the eastern province of Zhejiang, crushed under the wheels of a truck.

A court sentenced the unlicenced driver, Fei Liangyu, to three-and-a-half years in prison on Tuesday for "accidentally" running over Qian, China Central Television (CCTV) said in an in-depth live report.

ORIGINAL SOURCE