China detains prominent dissident ahead of Human Rights Day: wife (December 9, 2008, AFP)
Chinese authorities have detained prominent human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, his wife told AFP on Tuesday, the latest dissident to be arrested ahead of Human Rights Day. "He was taken away yesterday (Monday) evening and he is being held at Beijing's public security bureau," Liu Xia said by phone. She said she was not told why her husband had been detained, but suspected it was related to Charter 8, which calls for democratic reform in China and has been signed by more than 300 Chinese people, including Liu Xiaobo. The charter has been published online and its signatories include intellectuals and human rights activists, according to press freedom advocates Reporters Without Borders.
Chinese authorities have detained prominent human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, his wife told AFP on Tuesday, the latest dissident to be arrested ahead of Human Rights Day. "He was taken away yesterday (Monday) evening and he is being held at Beijing's public security bureau," Liu Xia said by phone. She said she was not told why her husband had been detained, but suspected it was related to Charter 8, which calls for democratic reform in China and has been signed by more than 300 Chinese people, including Liu Xiaobo. The charter has been published online and its signatories include intellectuals and human rights activists, according to press freedom advocates Reporters Without Borders.
