Gang boss' lawyer stands by defense plea

CHONGQING: Beijing lawyer Li Zhuang yesterday pleaded "not guilty" in a local court to charges of instructing his client - an alleged crime boss - to lie that he had been tortured by police for a confession.

The accusations against the lawyer, amid Chongqing's massive operation to rid the city of organized crime, has fomented nationwide debate on defense attorneys' rights and the functioning of the judicial system.

Li, 48, is also accused of fabricating evidence and interfering with others' testimony - crimes which can draw him three to seven years in jail.