These two men Ding Jiaxi and Li Wei are part of the New Citizens' Movement in China..a group that's campaigning for officials to disclose their assets to help combat corruption.

But now they're the latest in a line of members to be prosecuted, accused of disturbing public order.

The two activists are being held inside this court house in Beijing.

It's been cordoned off by a large police presence and journalists were told they're not allowed to report on the case.

Here Ding's lawyer scuffles with police and other supporters have also been detained.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) ACTIVIST DING JIAXI'S LAWYER, SUI MUQING, SAYING:

"They didn't cause any harm to society, as has been said. Moreover, their behaviour should be praised and encouraged. It's extremely easy to judge - it doesn't require much expert legal knowledge: They are very clearly innocent. They're not just innocent, there isn't even a trace of illegality"

The trials of the activists come de