Activist lawyer released on bail

Xu Zhiyong, the human-rights lawyer accused of tax evasion, was released Sunday on bail pending trial, the Wall Street Journal reported. He had been out of touch since July 29, when he was seized by security officials. Xu is co-founder of the Open Constitution Initiative, or Gongmeng. Authorities shut down the center last month for alleged non-payment of taxes, including taxes on a US$100,000 grant from Yale University. The legal group was ordered to pay US$200,000 in back taxes by the Beijing tax bureau. Though Xu’s name was blocked from internet searches, activists were able to organize a grassroots campaign, largely online, calling for his release and raising money to support him. Beijing may be wavering on his arrest as he was not charged with the more serious crime of subversion. One of Mr. Xu’s lawyers, Li Fangping, said that the movement showed an "increasing awareness of the important role of law in society."