By ABC News
A Chinese court has sentenced leading dissident Liu Xiaobo to 11 years in prison for subversion, prompting the United States to accuse China of persecuting its political opponents.
Liu, 53, had previously been jailed over the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, and has been tried again for “inciting subversion of state power” after he co-authored a book calling for political reform last year.
Charter 08, which calls for human rights protection and the reform of China’s one-party communist system, has been signed by more than 10,000 people, according to activist network China Human Rights Defenders.
One of Liu’s lawyers, Ding Xikui, says he is unsure whether Liu, who has already been detained for a year, will appeal.
Liu faces a maximum prison term of 15 years.
The case has generated concern over China’s human rights record, especially in the US, which has urged China to “respect the rights of all Chinese citizens to peacefully express their political views”.
“We continue to call on the government of China to release him immediately,” US embassy official Gregory May said outside the courthouse following sentencing.
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/25/2780758.htm?section=world
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This post was written by mcarl on December 25, 2009
