Man tried in UK for tossing shoe at Chinese leader
LONDON — A German student at Britain’s Cambridge University is standing trial for allegedly throwing a shoe at Chinese Premier Minister Wen Jiabao.
Martin Jahnke has pleaded not guilty to the charge of committing a public order offense.
Prosecutor Caroline Allison says 27-year-old Jahnke had justified his actions to police as a legitimate protest against the Chinese leader.
She told a district judge Monday that Jahnke’s shouting and blowing a whistle during Wen’s speech “may have started off as a lawful protest” but that he committed “an act of aggression” by throwing his shoe at the Chinese premier.
Wen was not hit by the shoe during the February speaking engagement, which was part of an official visit to Britain.
Filed under Legal Proceedings, News | Tags: Asia, China, East Asia, Eu-britain-china-shoe, Europe, European Union, Greater China, London, United Kingdom, Western Europe | Comment Below
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