Leading China dissident set for trial

Leading Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was due to go on trial on subversion charges,in a case criticised by the US,the EU and rights groups as politically motivated.

Leading Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo was due to go on trial on Wednesday on subversion charges,in a case criticised by the United States,the European Union and rights groups as politically motivated.

The 53-year-old Liu,a writer who was previously jailed over the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests,has been charged with “inciting subversion of state power” after co-authoring a bold call for political reform.

US and EU diplomats have been denied access to the hearing in a Beijing court after Washington and Brussels last week called for Liu’s release,and key dissidents said they were warned not to try to attend the proceedings.

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Dozens of police officers ringed the courthouse today,and the pavements were sealed off. A handful of diplomats and Liu supporters had gathered outside before the hearing,due to start at 9:00 am (0100 GMT).

“Long live democracy,long live Liu Xiaobo!” shouted 49-year-old Beijing resident Song Zaimin,under the watchful eye of police.

“I don’t know him and I don’t want to know him but I just support his heroic behaviour. We must stand up for our future.”

If convicted,Liu — who has already been detained for a year — faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

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“I have no hope whatsoever,I can’t even attend the trial,” his wife Liu Xia told AFP earlier this week. She is viewed by the court as a witness,and thus must be summoned to enter the courtroom,but plans to wait outside.

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