China uses tax evasion charge to suppress activists

FT.com / China / Politics & Foreign Policy – Chinese activist arrested for tax evasion.

I am opposed to tax evasion.

I am quite happy with those who undertake criminal activity being charged with tax evasion as a way of bringing them to book: the US set a precedent with Al Capone.

I am greatly troubled by a charge of tax evasion being used as a means of suppressing opposition, especially in a country where, extraordinarily, it can carry the death penalty.

China has a long way to go before it has an acceptable approach to human rights.