China protest shoe-thrower cleared

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The District Judge said there was insufficient evidence to prove that Martin Jahnke behaved in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The judge found Mr Jahnke not guilty following a two-day trial at Cambridge Magistrates' Court.

Mr Jahnke, 27, a medical researcher at Cambridge University, staged his protest on April 2, when the Chinese premier was lecturing students in Cambridge, the court heard. He disrupted the speech by blowing a whistle, calling the Chinese leader a "dictator", saying the university had "prostituted" itself by allowing Wen Jiabao to speak, then throwing his left training shoe towards the stage.

Mr Jahnke, who is German and moved to the UK after studying in Berlin, maintained that he was making a "legitimate protest" and had not intended to harm anyone.

The Chinese premier did not appear at the hearing and no statement made by him was read out in court. Prosecutors presented evidence from three Chinese students at the lecture, as well as police and security staff.

District Judge Ken Sheraton told Jahnke that the not guilty verdict should not be seen as an indication that the court condoned his behaviour. And he warned Jahnke about his future conduct.

After the hearing, Mr Jahnke said in a statement: "I am very pleased with the result. I would like to thank all those members of the public who have supported me, including the Chinese community.

"I hope now attention can move away from me to the real issue of human rights in China."

Legal sources estimate that the taxpayer will be left with a bill running into thousands of pounds as a result of the trial.