A Chinese court has reportedly sentenced renowned human rights activist Xu Zhiyong to four years in prison on account of "gathering crowds to disrupt public order".
Famous for his campaigns for children's rights and against corruption, Xu was arrested in July 2013.
Many across China believe that the government targeted Xu because of his rising popularity and growing presence on Chinese platforms, the BBC reported.
According to Xu's lawyer Zhang Qingfang, soon after the verdict was passed Xu told the court that the last shred of dignity of China's rule of law had been destroyed.
Meanwhile, rights groups have been criticizing President Xi Jinping following similar charges being slapped against various other activists.