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China rules defendants should be tried in civvies

Xinhua, February 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

China's ban on defendants wearing prison uniforms in court was set in motion on Saturday.

All defendants must now change into civilian clothes before standing trial, according to a circular by the Supreme People's Court (SPC) and the Ministry of Public Security.

Defendants will not need to seek approval from authorities to wear formal or casual clothing, the circular said.

On Thursday, the SPC published a document on the motion, to avoid the defendant's incarceration affecting legal proceedings.

In China, defendants are often seen shackled in orange prison vests. Some are even restrained by police while in the court room.

The defendants have not been found guilty, thus, they should not be labeled as such, the SPC explained. Endi