Chinese Dissident On
Trial
One
of China's prominent dissidents, Liu Xiaobo, defended subversion
charges, at a trial on Wednesday that drew an outcry from local
activists and foreign governments.
Liu is accused of ‘inciting subversion of state power’ by
publishing essays on the Internet critical of the ruling
Communist Party and helping organise the ‘Charter 08’ petition,
demanding a democratic remake of the one-party state.
He could face up to 15 years in jail if found guilty.
One of his defence lawyers, Ding Xikui, said that Liu ’’defended
himself as innocent’’ and that the court would give its verdict
on Friday, Christmas Day.
His wife, Liu Xia, who was not allowed to attend the trial, said
Liu does not plan to appeal if found guilty.
Courtroom situation
The prosecution of Liu, who turns 54 next Monday, has galvanised
criticism of China's sweeping laws against political opponents.
The Beijing First Intermediate People's Court that heard the
case was heavily guarded by police and reporters were not
allowed into the hearing.
In a small show of the forces, rights activists and protesters,
as well as diplomats from Western embassies, gathered on the
street outside the court to condemn the trial.
’’Liu is a well-known activist who has peacefully worked for the
establishment of democratic processes in China, we call on the
government of China to release him immediately and to respect
the rights of all Chinese citizens to peacefully express their
political views,’’ said Gregory May, a diplomat with the U.S.
embassy in Beijing, reading out a statement.
Local activists, and ragged petitioners hoping to publicise
their own grievances against the government, yelled support for
Liu and some later handed out yellow ribbons they said
symbolised solidarity with him.
Some Chinese who are able to access the blocked Twitter service
posted yellow ribbons next to their names in support.
Accusations
The charge of inciting subversion is a broad accusation that
covers criticisms of the Communist Party and its policies.
Liu was detained late last year, as he and others were preparing
to launch the ‘Charter 08’ petition, which collected thousands
of signatures. China has not arrested any other signatories,
suggesting it wants to make an example of Liu but avoid more
contentious prosecutions.
A former literature professor from the northeast, Liu joined a
hunger strike supporting student protesters days before the army
crushed a pro-democracy movement centred on Tiananmen Square on
June 4, 1989. He tried to avert a bloody standoff.
He was later jailed for 20 months and then spent three years in
a labour re-education camp during the 1990s.
NAN/Yinka
