The Secret Trial of General Xu Qinxian: A Glimpse into a Forbidden Court‑Martial

Background

In the spring of 1989, as pro‑democracy demonstrators occupied Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Chinese military was ordered to restore order. General Xu Qinxian, commander of the 38th Army, made a historic decision: he refused to follow the directive to attack the peaceful protesters.

The Consequences

Xu’s defiance marked him as a symbol of conscience within the People’s Liberation Army. Within weeks, he was removed from his post, placed under house arrest, and eventually charged with “counter‑revolutionary activity” and “disobeying orders.” His fate was sealed behind the closed doors of a secret military tribunal.

The Leaked Footage

In a startling development, an unofficial video of Xu’s court‑martial has surfaced online. The recording, now circulating on YouTube, shows the proceedings of the clandestine trial, complete with stern interrogations, scripted testimonies, and a verdict delivered without any public scrutiny.

What the Video Reveals

The footage provides rare insight into the inner workings of a military justice system that operates outside the normal legal framework:

• Closed‑door proceedings: No journalists, family members, or independent observers were permitted.
• Political framing: Prosecutors repeatedly framed Xu’s actions as betrayal of the Party and the nation.
• Swift sentencing: The trial lasted less than two hours before a harsh sentence was pronounced.

International Reaction

Human‑rights groups and foreign governments have condemned the secret trial as a violation of basic legal standards. Amnesty International called the video “a chilling reminder of the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to silence dissent.

Legacy

Despite the repression he faced, General Xu Qinxian remains a potent emblem of moral courage. The leaked court‑martial video not only exposes the opaque mechanisms of military justice in China but also reignites global debate over accountability and the right to dissent.