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Cop-Killer in China Inspires Strong Public Support
Many applaud man for taking on abusive arm of state; he confessed, will be executed
By Katherine Thompson
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Posted Nov 14, 08 10:32 AM CST
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(Newser)
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Public sentiment in China seems to be coming down squarely on the side of a man convicted of entering a Shanghai police station and stabbing six officers to death, the Washington Post reports. Yang Jia, who confessed to the murders, had twice claimed to be the victim of police brutality; now countrymen fed up with abusive state security services are protesting his death sentence.
Crowds have gathered at Yang's appeals, and thousands signed an online petition to spare his life. Despite the brutality of the crimes, and Yang's confession, many Chinese see the 28-year-old as something of a hero. His attorney explains, “They feel that if someone stands up to the police, he or she is fighting for justice on their behalf.”