">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China arrests leading democracy advocate: state media
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
China arrests leading democracy advocate: state media
AFP - Thursday, June 25
BEIJING (AFP) - - Prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, a leading force behind a petition calling for democratic reforms, has been formally arrested for subversive activities, state media said Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Activist groups immediately condemned the move, calling the arrest of the internationally known dissident writer a blow for human rights and political freedom in China.
Liu, who has been detained since December, was arrested Tuesday for "alleged agitation activities aimed at subversion of the government and overthrowing the socialist system," Xinhua news agency said, citing Beijing police.
The 53-year-old writer, who was involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy movement that was crushed by the army, has long campaigned through his writings for human rights and democracy in China.
He was taken into custody last year after signing Charter 08, a widely circulated manifesto calling for fundamental political and legal reforms to China's Communist Party-dominated system and respect for human rights.
The document was signed by about 300 Chinese scholars, lawyers and officials.
"Liu has been engaged in agitation activities, such as spreading of rumours and defaming of the government, aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialist system in recent years," Xinhua quoted a police statement as saying.
Liu had confessed to the charge, the statement added.
His lawyer, Mo Shaoping, said he was not informed of the arrest, but that police were still in the process of investigating the case. If formally charged Liu could get up to 15 years in prison, Mo said.
Beijing police declined to comment to AFP.
The arrest comes amid tightened controls in China amid a series of sensitive political anniversaries this year.
China earlier this month passed the 20th anniversary of the crackdown on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests with stifling security and next faces October's 60th anniversary of the founding of communist China.
Mo said police had told Liu's wife, Liu Xia, that he might not be able to work as Liu's defence lawyer. Mo said this may be because he also had signed Charter 08.
Mo said he was preparing a formal request to be allowed to meet with Liu.
Liu Xia could not immediately be reached for comment.
Liu Xiaobo has been under a form of house arrest in an undisclosed location away from his home since December.
Nicholas Bequelin, a Hong Kong-based researcher with Human Rights Watch, said the arrest meant Liu would almost certainly go to prison, calling it "a pre-determined result."
"We believe that Liu Xiaobo has done nothing but exercise his right to freedom of expression and in no circumstances should he have been arrested," Bequelin told AFP.
Amnesty International also condemned Liu's arrest.
"This use of state security charges to punish activists for merely expressing their views must stop," it said in an emailed statement.
Bequelin said Chinese authorities had long tolerated Liu's dissident writings.
But he said his arrest made clear that hardline elements in the government blamed for a tightening of political controls since before last year's Beijing Olympics had gained the upper hand.
"The Ministry of Public Security has seen its power considerably enhanced and they are more aggressive. The room for dissent is shrinking," he said.
Liu was jailed for nearly two years for his role in the 1989 Tiananmen protests and then again in the mid-1990s.
His case is the highest-profile dissident arrest since rights activist Hu Jia was arrested in December 2007 and sentenced four months later to three and a half years in prison for sedition.
It has drawn intense international criticism, with the European Union and the United States demanding his quick release.
Novelists such as Britain's Salman Rushdie and Italy's Umberto Eco, as well as Nobel literature laureates including Irish poet Seamus Heaney, have also campaigned for Liu's release.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Afghan girl burned by white phosphorus heads homeAP - Thursday, June 25
NKorea threatens US; world anticipates missileAP - Thursday, June 25
China arrests dissident who championed reformsAP - Thursday, June 25
Deadliest US missile strikes in PakistanAP - Thursday, June 25
Report: NKorea's Kim using gifts to win supportAP - Thursday, June 25
Enlarge Photo
China arrests leading democracy advocate: state media
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Boeing delays Dreamliner for fifth time
US company makes first batch of swine flu vaccine
Whales worth more alive than dead, says new report
Boeing readies Dreamliner for first flight
Nixon was ready to 'cut off head' of S. Vietnam leader
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 25 June 2009 Bomb strikes Shiite market in Baghdad, killing 21
Russia's Medvedev in Nigeria to seal energy deals
Bomb kills at least 72 in Baghdad's Sadr City
| International
|
"Hard work" settling dispute with Obama -Israel
Saturn moon may harbour life-giving ocean: study
Mobile money seen as chance for world's poorest
Attacks, clashes kill scores in Afghanistan
Newspapers face survival struggle: Hong Kong media mogul
Cultural shift needed in Afghan combat: commander
| International
|
Whaling commission to extend negotiations for a year
Arabs vow to support Obama's Mideast peace drive
Bangladesh introduces SMS cyclone alert system
U.S. sees multinational approach to North Korea ship
| International
|
Sudan orders four hanged for murder of U.S. official
Sarah Jessica Parker welcomes surrogate twins
Boston Globe, union reach pay cut deal
Poor nations plead for money at U.N. crisis meeting
| International
|
Microsoft debuts power conservation website
OECD says recession near low-point
Iran may downgrade ties with Britain
Nations fail to reach compromise at whaling talks
| International
|
Migrants boost Jewish settler numbers in West Bank
Netanyahu in France as settlements strain US ties
Key farm-state lawmaker supports climate bill
Iran's Khamenei may be a casualty in vote crisis
Microsoft CEO still open to partnership with Yahoo
| Technology
|
Deadliest US missile strikes in Pakistan
Report: NKorea's Kim using gifts to win support
Corrected: Time Warner, Comcast plan more TV on Web
| Technology
|
Mobile money seen as chance for world's poorest
| Technology
|
US strikes kill dozens in Taliban heartland: Pakistan army
Japan finance minister denies involvement in donations scandal
MetroPCS to offer unlimited international calls at $5/month
| Technology
|
China, US hail defence talks despite lingering tensions
U.S. urges China to revoke Internet filter requirement
| Technology
|
China arrests leading democracy advocate: state media
Former player arrested in killing of Iowa coach
KRouge prosecutor denies row sparked resignation
Jill Biden heads to Europe next month
Japan, Korea teams reach Champions League quarters
Top senator calls for structural changes at VA
TARP chief sees sun peeking through economic storm
Hong Kong feng shui master battles for tycoon's estate
Study: Saturn moon has liquid water below surface
Study: New radiation detectors not worth the cost
Tajiks arrest alleged Islamic group members
Feds arrest head of anti-gang group in LA
AP: Top Pa. legislators benefit most from grants
Sears Tower to undergo $350M green remodel
Pro-Iranian regime hackers invade Oregon computers
Kazakh lawmakers back restrictive Internet law
India asks struggling national carrier to cut costs
Pepsi inks deal to produce, sell snacks in Japan
Jive-talking twin Transformers raise race issues
GM considers alternative bids for Opel: report
Sexy? Yes. Megan Fox says it's part of "Transformers"
Sinopec buys Addax for 7.2 billion US dollars
Montgomery Gentry inducted into Grand Ole Opry
Oscar organizers expand film nominee list
| Entertainment
|
Report: Threats made to maker of China filtering
List of top 15 cable shows in Nielsen ratings
Residential property poised to lead India rebound
Sexy? Yes. Megan Fox says it's part of Transformers
| Entertainment
|
Iraqi culture ministry hamstrung by 'miserable' budget
Paisley considers Then and now on new album
| Entertainment
|
Demand for Taipei prime office space rises-Jones Lang
AMC announces `Rubicon,' a new dramatic series
No more 'Celebrity' for Patti Blagojevich
Daniel Craig eyes psychological thriller
Update: South Carolina Governor Admits To Affair After "Mysterious" Trip To Argentina
High School Football Coach Shot, Killed In Iowa
Senate Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Judge Samuel Kent
NY Senate To Hold Governor-Ordered Special Session Amid Continued Impasse
U.S. Drone Attacks Kill Militants In Pakistan
Report: Sanford Went To Buenos Aires, Not Appalachians During Absence
Dr. Jerri Nielsen Dead At 57
Man Commits Suicide After Firing Rounds At Florida Shooting Range
House Votes On Controversial Energy Bill Friday
Pentagon Creates Cyber Command To Protect Networks
Firefighters Get Call To Put Out Own Station's Blaze
Update: South Carolina Governor Admits To Affair After "Mysterious" Trip To Argentina, Not Appalachian Trail
Health Canada Withheld Delivery Of Hand Sanitizers With Alcohol Base
Beatles' Sgt. Pepper Poster Sold For More Than $50,000 At Auction
Madonna Turning Her Manhattan Apartment Into A Replica Of The British Estate She Misses So Much
Prince Charles Given Over $5 Million In Government Grants And Expenses To Cover "Travel"
Scientists Find South Pacific Gyre As 'Deadest Spot In Ocean'
Yoga Practitioners Find Serenity In Times Square
More Than 100 Bottles Of Beer On The Road After Trucks In Vermont, Illinois Overturn
Bomb kills at least 72 in Baghdad
Medvedev seals nuclear, gas pacts with Nigeria
Iran's opposition vows to go on challenging poll
| International
|
Wired editor responds to plagiarism charges
U.S. renews sanctions against North Korea
| International
|
Iran's opposition vows to go on challenging poll
Microsoft launches home energy monitoring tool
Roadside bomb kills five policemen in Iraq
| International
|
Iran opposition to go ahead with mourning ceremony
Netanyahu says hopes for U.S. settlement understanding
| International
|
Corrected: Time Warner, Comcast plan more TV on Web
Phil Spector Jailed In "Sensitive Needs" Prison
MetroPCS to offer unlimited international calls at $5/month
U.S. urges China to scrap Internet filter plan
| International
|
Perez Hilton Taking Legal Action Against Will.I.Am Over Alleged Assault
US winding down Afghan poppy destruction: envoy
Swiss to destroy papers in international nuke smuggling case
| International
|
Celebrities Speak Out On Perez Vs. The Peas
U.S. urges China to revoke Internet filter requirement
China reclaims $4 billion of embezzled public money
| International
|
Iran police use tear gas, clubs to crush protest
Beatles' Sgt. Pepper Poster Sold For $52.5K At Auction
Kevin Federline's Production Company Owes $14K In Taxes
Sarkozy asks Netanyahu for 'total freeze' on settlements
Daryl Hannah Arrested Along With 30 Others During Coal Mine Protest
Ex-Wilco Member Jay Bennett's Cause Of Death: Accidental Overdose Of Painkiller
MCR Drummer Bob Bryar Sues Dog Trainer Over Dog's Mysterious Death
Major bombings in Iraq since Jan. 1
Support for climate bill growing among Democrats
David Beckham Wins Libel Damage From U.K. Tabloid
Paulina Rubio's Miami House Burgled
Baghdad market blast kills 62 as US pullout looms
NKorea warns of "dark clouds of nuclear war"
Google briefly cut off in China: state media
Heads of top U.S. companies snub blogs, Facebook: study
| Technology
|
NKorea vows 'do-or-die' battle to boost economy
Global Weather-Celsius
US calls for release of prominent China dissident
LG Elec aims to sell up to 5 million LED TVs in 2010
| Technology
|
US Vietnam veterans send home fallen comrades
Time Warner, Comcast test approach to more TV on Web
| Technology
|
China reclaims £2.4 billion of embezzled public money
Boston Globe, union back smaller wage cut proposal
Report: Driver didn't know Boston runway was open
Spate of kidnappings shocks Nepal
House passes $44B Homeland Security spending bill
Tropical storm kills 8 in Philippines; 11 missing
US urges China to drop Internet filter rule
Paper reveals SC gov's romantic e-mail exchange
Afghan faces drug charges in US
NJ governor candidate to testify before US panel
Obama calls ex-NY mayor Koch to ask how he's doin'
Obama leaves door open to tax on health benefits
Dissidents finalize new Anglican alliance
Director Fincher eyes curious case of Facebook
China retailer to buy into Japan's Laox
Japan's Shinsei, Aozora say in merger talks
Philippine free port reinvents itself
US calls on China to revoke Web filter order
Google access in China temporarily disrupted
HIGHLIGHTS-S.Korea fin min unveils H2 economic policy goals
"Watchmen" director's cut headed to theaters
Studios wary of Oscar's new best-picture rule
| Entertainment
|
Cameron Diaz takes a motherly turn in new movie
| Entertainment
|
US leaves cultural imprint on Iraq
Taiwan dollar flat, eyes on c.bank rate decision
Oscars' best picture race: 10 in 2010
Public Enemies a missed opportunity
| Entertainment
|
FACTBOX-S.Korea's 2009 GDP seen falling most in 11-yrs
Oscars' best picture race: 10 in 2010
| Entertainment
|
Blink-182, Weezer to headline free Virgin fest
Woori Bank says parent firm mull rights issue-paper
Blink-182, Weezer to headline free Virgin fest
| Entertainment
|
Cops question Brit star about robbery of paparazzi
S.Korea T-bond futures down after Fed
Watchmen director's cut headed to theaters
| Entertainment
|
Oscars doubling best picture nominees to 10
Blogger Perez Hilton sues roadie after assault
| Entertainment
|
The Boss and Neil Young lead at Glastonbury
35,000-year-old flute oldest instrument ever found
Cameron Diaz takes a motherly turn in new movie
New Times Square art exhibition space opens
Israel reduces control of 4 West Bank towns
Russia annuls Politkovskaya verdicts: court
Egyptian tycoon to hang for Lebanese diva murder
Somali rebels amputate limbs, U.S. sends weapons
| International
|
Airline revenues sink as swine flu hits travel
Russian tycoon Berezovsky 'convicted' in absentia
Gay parade and Sabbath parking stir Jerusalem tension
BP appoints Ericsson chief as new chairman
Air France says pilot's body identified after crash
| International
|
Nigerian rebels say major Shell pipeline blown up
U.S. adviser hails Pakistani attack on militants
| International
|
Sidelined lawmaker watches Arabs, Jews drift apart
Kyrgyz parliament approves U.S. base deal
| International
|
Opium-eating wallabies get high, make crop circles
American intruder key player in Suu Kyi case, police say
| International
|
US, Israel, Russia absent at cluster bomb talks
Israel army to curtail operations in four West Bank cities
| International
|
Israel marks third anniversary of Shalit's capture
Stoned wallabies make Australian crop circles
| International
|
Lebanon assembly re-elects Hezbollah ally speaker
| International
|
Google slammed as China, U.S. quarrel over Internet
| Technology
|
Microsoft to cut prices on Windows 7
| Technology
|
Last pole-driven river ferry may close in Virginia
Toyota's new president pledges fresh start
NKorea vows to enlarge its atomic arsenal
DC mayor concedes subway system needs improvement
Health games become serious business
| Technology
|
DC Metro red line stations open after crash
Arkansas prison troubles echo problems of the past
China executes 6 people ahead of UN anti-drug day
Man viewing porn in heels can't skirt drug charges
Myanmar says UN envoy due on June 26
Poison control at risk in California, other states
Obama promotes United We Serve program
Australian city on crocodile alert
HK tycoon hoped feng shui could bring back husband
TV: Al-Qaida says it killed American in Mauritania
Kyrgyz lawmakers back deal to keep US base open
7 Thai navy cadets test positive for swine flu
Investigators focus on DC track; stations reopen
SC Gov. Mark Sanford will find tough trail at home
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $11.77 bln
Asia's small businesses holding on to workers
TABLE-Taiwan's May money supply growth at 7.35 pct y/y
China accuses Google of spreading pornography
Election panel weighs Kerry's bid to produce movie
Vietnam trade deficit drops: official figures
Theaters take a nimble approach to economic blues
NZ Q1 current account deficit narrows
The not-so-glam world of male modelling
China mulls listing Beijing-Shanghai rail line
Aussie legal battle hits sour note Down Under
World Bank loan to boost Philippine rice output
China, Turkmenistan seal long-term energy deal
Sex sells in new Chinese cultural revolution
Indonesian court frees Facebook mum
Celebrity birthdays for the week of June 28-July 4
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights