Prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was sentenced on Friday to 11 years in prison. It was on charges of so-called "incitement to subvert state power"—a charge the Chinese regime often uses to prosecute dissidents.
Liu is a veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests. And recently he was a main author of the Charter 08 manifesto, which called for sweeping political reforms.
Chinese authorities barred foreign diplomats from attending court proceedings this week. But many gathered here outside the courthouse.
[Gregory May, Officer from U.S. Embassy]:
"The United States government is deeply concerned by the sentence of 11 years in prison announced today in the case of prominent Chinese democracy act of Liu Xiaobo, under the charge of inciting subversion of state power. Persecution of individuals for the peaceful expression of political views is inconsistent with internationally recognized norms of human rights.
Liu supporter Yang Licai says he had anticipated the guilty verdict.
[Yang Licai, Supporter of Liu Xiaobo]:
"I understand the Chinese government. I am not surprised at all of the court ruling."
Liu has been in custody since a few days before Charter 08 was launched online Dec. 10, 2008, to mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The announcement of the verdict against Liu comes on Christmas Day—but that did not seem to stop international media from reporting on his case.
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