Chinese court upholds prominent scholar's 11-year punishment

Cara Anna The Washington Post 02/12/2010 04:15

Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo with his wife Liu Xia at their home in Beijing

BEIJING -- A Chinese court upheld Thursday the unprecedented 11-year sentence given to a prominent scholar who had called for political reform, the latest in a string of harsh punishments for dissenters.

The ruling -- the third legal defeat this week for veteran Chinese activists -- drew a rare public rebuke from the U.S. ambassador, who said Liu Xiaobo should be released immediately.

Liu's hearing at Beijing's high court took fewer than 10 minutes, and the activist was not given a chance to speak. "I'm innocent!" he called out before being taken away.

The United States and the European Union responded swiftly to Liu's failed appeal with statements condemning China's treatment of the scholar, who has been found guilty of inciting to subvert state power. China routinely uses the vaguely worded charge to jail people it considers troublemakers.

"Persecution of individuals for the peaceful expression of political views is inconsistent with internationally recognized norms of human rights," U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman said in an e-mailed statement. It was the first statement issued under his name since he took the post in August.

Asked whether China's treatment of dissidents might negatively affect its image overseas, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu responded, "There are no dissidents in China."

Source

Add your comment Send Print Report