Pu Zhiqiang has been found guilty of "inciting ethnic hatred" and "picking quarrels" on his social media posts. The court sentenced him to three years in prison but also said the sentence would be suspended.

Pu is the latest to be tried in a crackdown on dissidents in China.

It remains unclear if Pu would be freed from detention immediately. Correspondents say that the sentencing could mean that Pu is monitored during the suspension period, with the possibility of a reduced sentence if he demonstrates good behaviour.

State news agency Xinhua reported on its microblog that during his sentencing Pu had "acknowledged the reality of his crimes", apologised, and expressed acceptance of his sentence.

Pu has been in detention since May 2014, after he posted several messages on microblogging platform Weibo critical of the government.

He had questioned the "excessively violent" crackdown on Uighurs in the restive Xinjiang region. He also alleged the Chinese Communist Party was an untruthful party, and mocked government rhetoric over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands which are also claimed by Japan.

Supporters believe his arrest was politically motivated, as he is known for representing dissidents in sensitive human rights cases and for his vocal criticism.

Human rights group Amnesty International said in a statement that the suspended sentence was "a deliberate attempt by the Chinese authorities to shackle a champion of freedom of expression".

Scuffles

Prior to the sentencing, a small group of activists and foreign journalists gathered in front of the court. There were brief scuffles with the police in a repeat of scenes seen last week during Pu`s one-day trial.

A BBC team witnessed supporters and journalists being dragged away by dozens of plainclothes policemen. The BBC team was later asked to leave. Amnesty said at least 12 activists were detained on Tuesday.

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