Wu Yuren's trial this week

Jailed Chinese artist Wu Yuren is finally being tried this week, after five-and-a-half months in detention.

The trial is due to take place at 9.30 this Wednesday morning, 17th November.

This means it's perhaps a little too late now to contribute to the Amnesty letter-writing campaign on his behalf... although every little helps, however late in the day; and it is possible to submit your letters of concern to the listed officials by fax or e-mail, so you could get something in within the next 24 hours.  Moreover, this week's hearing will not be the complete trial; the sentencing will not take place until some unspecified later date, possibly some weeks hence.

If you're in Beijing, you might consider attending the trial, or joining a small group of supporters outside.  Wu's Canadian wife, Karen, will be there - although it's not clear if she'll be allowed in (foreigners - even family members of the accused! - have to go through a laborious process of applying in advance for "permission" to enter the court; Chinese nationals should have no such difficulty, although I suspect that, in practice, the authorities will do everything they can to discourage or prevent people from directly witnessing the proceedings).  We are also hoping that one or two 'big shots' might be showing up.  And there should be a lot of attention from international media.

The trial is set to take place in Court #16 at Wenyuhe Courthouse (Tel: 010 8599 8553, 010 8431 3271).  This is in Chaoyang District, but quite some way out of the centre of the city, in Louzizhuang Village, Jinzhan Town.

You can get there as follows:

Bus routes 306, 350, 639, 659, 983, or 989 to Louzizhuang Station.

By car, take the Airport Expressway No. 2 (the one that's an extension of Chaoyang Park Rd.) to the Louzizhuang exit, drive north to Louzizhuang Road, then turn right and drive east for around 1,500 metres along Louzizhuang Road: the courthouse is about 150 metres after the traffic lights, on the north of side the road.

朝阳法院温榆河法庭地址：北京市朝阳区金盏乡楼梓庄村温榆河法庭, 法庭＃16。

朝阳法院温榆河法庭通信邮编：100018

朝阳法院温榆河法庭乘车路线：乘坐306、350、639、659、983、989 在楼梓庄路口西站下车，东行300米路口即到。

朝阳法院温榆河法庭驾车路线：机场二号高速公路楼梓庄出口出，向北到楼梓庄路右转，沿楼梓庄路向东行驶约1500米，过红绿灯前行约150米，路北即到。

朝阳法院温榆河法庭电话：010-85998553、010-84313271

If you can't make it out to Louzizhuang on Wednesday, please keep Wu and his family in your thoughts - and check for news online later in the week.