Chinese Environmentalist's Trial Begins

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | The New York Times
May 15, 2006

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- A Chinese man who tried to set up an independent environmental group went on trial Monday on charges of stealing state secrets, an overseas human rights group and court official said.

Computer technician Tan Kai has been in custody since police in the eastern city of Hangzhou summoned him on Oct. 19, New York-based Human Rights in China reported.

Tan was detained after he opened a bank account as part of efforts to register an environmental group, ''Green Watch.''

His trial at Hangzhou's Xihu District People's Court was closed to the public because it involved state secrets, said a court official reached by telephone. The official refused to give his name because he was not authorized to speak to media.

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