Lanzhou court sentences Jing Shuren to 4 years and Zhou Lubao to 14 years on picking-quarrels charges in first-instance ruling
On September 11, the Chengguan District Court in Lanzhou delivered its first-instance verdict: migrant worker Jing Shuren was found guilty of nine counts of picking quarrels and provoking trouble for reposting posts demanding unpaid wages and debt collection, and was sentenced to 4 years; Zhou Lubao, a co-defendant, received 14 years for picking quarrels and provoking trouble and extortion. Jing Shuren was the only one of the seven defendants who had not taken a single cent. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 7 years and 6 months; after the charge of leading an evil force was dropped and he was reclassified as an accomplice, he was still sentenced to 4 years. All seven stated in court that they would appeal.