Trial of Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong set for Wednesday

BEIJING – A lawyer says Chinese dissident Xu Zhiyong will go on trial next Wednesday on charges of disrupting public order.

Xu is a prominent legal activist who founded the New Citizens' Movement, a loose network of campaigners on a variety of social issues including corruption and equal access to education. At least a half dozen other activists associated with Xu's group have been charged and are also expected to be tried soon.

Xu's lawyer, Zhang Qingfang, says they met Friday with prosecutors, who rejected their protests over the charges. He said the trial would be held at Beijing's Intermediary Court.

Zhang says no media or outside observers will be allowed to attend, and only two seats have been set aside for Xu's family.