Ex-lawyer convicted of subversion

Xie Yang, a former lawyer, was convicted of inciting subversion of State power but exempt from criminal punishment because no great harm was done and he had confessed, according to a court decision announced on Tuesday in Changsha, capital of Hunan province.

Xie, 45, a Hunan native, pleaded guilty during the court hearing and expressed gratitude for the leniency of the Changsha Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday. He said he wouldn't appeal.

The court said the exemption from criminal penalties was made considering "his acts hadn't caused serious harm to society and he confessed his wrongdoings and showed repentance during the investigation and proceedings."