Prominent Chinese dissident formally charged
June 24, 2009
Liu is the co-author of the pro-democracy manifesto "Charter 08" that calls for sweeping reforms to China's rigid political system. The 53-year-old has been in police custody at a secret location since December 8, 2008, one day before the political document was released.
On Wednesday, China's official Xinhua news agency quoted a police statement as saying that "Liu has been engaged in agitation activities, such as spreading of rumors and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years."
If convicted, Liu could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years in prison.
“This is the most significant Chinese dissident case in a decade," US-based Human Rights Watch said. Beijing categorically rejects appeals by foreign groups and politicians saying they are attempts to interfere in its legal system.
Reacting to the news that Liu had been charged, Zeng Jinyan another prominent dissident, suggested on her blog that the charges against Liu reflected the government's intolerance of any organized opposition.
"This case again shows that we can't have any illusions about the authorities," she wrote.
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Editor: Sonia Phalnikar