The 27-year-old German student who disrupted Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's speech at the University of Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge magistrates court on Tuesday for a pre-trial review.
Martin Jahnke, a post-graduate student at the pathology department at Darwin College, Cambridge University, appeared quite nervous when approached by media and refused to talk.
After enquiring about possible evidence and witnesses from both the prosecutor and the defense lawyer, the judge decided on an interim hearing on April 7 when the two sides should fully prepare their evidence.
The court also agreed during the 20-minute pre-trial review to hold trial on June 2-4.
Jahnke got "unconditional bail" from the court in the next 28 days during which time the court should know his whereabouts and he should not go out of the country.
Wang Yu, a Chinese law student at the Darwin College, was among some 20 audience at the court.
"It is not right or polite to disrupt a serious lecture given by an honorable guest to the Cambridge University. Premier Wen Jiabao should be accorded with due respect. This show-hurling incident is indeed a bad precedent for the prestigious university," he said.
This is Jahnke's second appearance at the Cambridge magistrates court. Four weeks ago, he claimed "not guilty" of threatening abuse and causing stress under the Public Order Act.
Jahnke was charged with violating section four of the Public Order Act shortly after disrupting Premier Wen's speech at the concert hall of University of Cambridge on Feb. 2.
Alison Richard, vice-chancellor of the university, later that day expressed her deep regret in a statement on the university website.
"I deeply regret that a single member of the audience this afternoon failed to show the respect for our speaker that is customary at Cambridge. This university is a place for considered argument and debate, not for shoe-throwing," she said.
Richard visited the Chinese Embassy in London last Friday to deliver her apology in person to ambassador Fu Ying.
She hoped that relations between the University of Cambridge and China would not be affected by the incident.
Premier Wen has, through the Chinese Embassy in London, sent a message urging leniency toward the student, who is understood to have formally apologized for his behavior.
"It is hoped that the university will give the student an opportunity to continue his studies," he said.
Wen urged Jahnke to "recognize his mistake and use his developing eyesight to recognize the real China."
Sources believe that Jahnke, if convicted, could face up to six months in prison or a fine of 5,000 pounds (6,400 U.S. dollars).
(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2009)