BEIJING (AP) A Chinese court on Friday postponed the trial of a human rights activist, Yang Maodong, after his lawyers boycotted the session to protest a denial of their right to copy court files.
Lawyer Lin Qilei quoted family members of fellow defendant Sun Desheng as saying both Yang and Sun told the court that they would remain silent without their lawyers, and the court then decided to reschedule the trial.
"The court had no choice but to announce the postponement," Lin said.
Yang, better known by his penname Guo Feixiong, is a veteran activist who advocates greater political freedom and more civic engagement in China.
He was detained in August 2013 after he organized public rallies calling for press freedom outside a media company that complained of government censorship. Authorities have charged him with gathering crowds to disrupt public order.