Lawyer detained on false evidence charges in Chongqing
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Police on Sunday detained a lawyer who allegedly instructed a mob boss to lie in court during an organized crime trial in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.
Li Zhuang, 48, a lawyer with Beijing Kangda Law Firm, was detained with the approval of the Chongqing municipal procuratorate on charges of giving false evidence and obstructing the course of justice, said an official with the Chongqing municipal government.
Li was allegedly implicated by his client Gong Gangmo, who faces charges of organizing, leading and participating in a criminal organization, murder, and selling and transporting illegal drugs and guns.
Gong said Li and others had colluded to fabricate a story that the defendant Gong had been tortured during interrogation, an official with the police investigation team of the gang trial said.
Li had met Gong three times and taught Gong to tell lies like "I was strung up for eight days and nights and tortured to incontinence," the official said.
According to a report on China Youth Daily, Gong allegedly said Li's ideas were a "double-edged sword," which could protect him or harm him.
"Li accepted the case for money. The results would only effect me in the end," Gong allegedly said when police asked why he had turned in his lawyer.
"He (Li) would be famous whether he wins or loses in the case. If I am caught cheating, I will be the one to be punished," Gong said.
Gong's family members and friends had paid Li and his team 2.45 million yuan (360,000 U.S. dollars). Li had asked Gong's family to pay him 20 million to 30 million yuan if Gong escaped a death sentence, police said.
Li was charged with violating article 306 of the Criminal Law, which stipulates that people who give false evidence can be sentenced to up to seven years jail.
Police were continuing to investigate, said the official.
