Chinese billionaire Sun Dawu faces decades in jail, legal team say
- Handling of case will send a message about how leadership sees private businesspeople, lawyers say
- Charges against Sun include illegal mining and provoking trouble
One of China’s most outspoken businessmen could face 25 years in prison if convicted on a range of charges against him, his legal team said on Monday.
Rural entrepreneur Sun Dawu is accused of provoking trouble and disturbing public order, illegal mining, encroachment on state farmland, obstructing public service and illegal fundraising, among other charges, prosecutors in Gaobeidian in Hebei province said in a document on Wednesday.
A source in the legal team, who requested anonymity because they were warned not to speak to the media, said prosecutors asked for Sun’s eldest son Sun Meng to be jailed for 16 years and Sun’s brother Sun Zhihua to be jailed for 11 years.
The source said they expected Sun could be sentenced to 20-25 years.
“The defendants were surprised about the heavy sentencing suggestions and they have said that these [sentences] are unacceptable,” the source said. “We will do our best to defend them.”
