Beijing Court Sentences Liu Xiaobo to 11 Years
The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court sentenced prominent intellectual Liu Xiaobo on December 25, 2009, to 11 years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power," a crime under Article 105, Paragraph 2, of the Criminal Law. The court also sentenced Liu to two years' deprivation of political rights upon his release.
The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court sentenced prominent intellectual Liu Xiaobo on December 25, 2009, to 11 years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power," a crime under Article 105, Paragraph 2, of the Criminal Law. The court also sentenced Liu to two years' deprivation of political rights upon his release. Human Rights in China released an English translation of the court's verdict on December 30, 2009. The court cited essays Liu had written critical of the Communist Party and China's political system and his participation in Charter 08. The court highlighted Liu's use of the Internet, including his posting of essays online and his e-mailing of the charter and its signatures to overseas Web sites. Liu submitted his appeal of the decision to the Beijing High People's Court on December 29, according to a January 4, 2010, New York Times article.
Additional Commission Resources on Liu Xiaobo:
- Joint Statement by CECC Chairman Byron Dorgan and Cochairman Sander Levin (12/23/09)
- Prosecutors Indict Liu Xiaobo; Trial To Take Place December 23 (12/22/09)
- Joint Statement by Chairman Byron Dorgan and Cochairman Sander Levin - Human Rights Day 2009 (12/9/09)
- Beijing Police Transfer Liu Xiaobo's Case to Prosecutors (12/9/09)
- Beijing Police Formally Arrest Liu Xiaobo on Inciting Subversion Charge (7/2/09)
- Officials Extend Liu Xiaobo's Residential Surveillance Beyond Legal Time Limit (6/9/09)
- Officials Harass Charter 08 Signers; Liu Xiaobo Under Residential Surveillance (1/14/09)
- Charter 08 and the Detention of Liu Xiaobo (12/17/08)
- Charter 08 (Chinese and English Text) (12/10/08)
- Over 300 Citizens Issue "Charter 08"; Several Activists Detained (12/9/08)
- Beijing Police Crack Down on Human Rights Activists During U.N. High Commissioner's Visit (8/30/05)
- Chinese Authorities Crack Down on Freedom of Expression, Detain Four Writers, Encourage Strengthening Restrictions on the Media (12/14/04)
- Political Prisoners Known or Believed to be Detained or Imprisoned in China as of October 7, 2009 (1,279 Cases) (10/7/09)
- CECC 2009 Annual Report (10/10/09)
- CECC Political Prisoner Database
- U.S. Department of State Message on the Indictment of Chinese Activist Liu Xiaobo (12/15/09)