China trial of leading dissident draws outcry

By Chris Buckley

BEIJING (Reuters) - One of China's most prominent dissidents, Liu Xiaobo, fought subversion charges at a trial on Wednesday that drew an outcry from local activists and foreign governments angered by Beijing's crackdown on political dissent.

Liu is accused of "inciting subversion of state power" by publishing essays on the Internet critical of the ruling Communist Party and helping organise the "Charter 08" petition, demanding a democratic remake of the one-party state.

One of his defence lawyers, Ding Xikui, told Reuters that Liu "defended himself as innocent" and the court would give its verdict on Friday, Christmas Day.

China's Party-controlled prosecutors and courts rarely reject cases against dissidents, and Liu does not plan to appeal if found guilty, said his wife, Liu Xia, who was not allowed to attend the trial. He could face up to 15 years in jail.

"With a government like this, a government without principles, there is nothing you can say," she said.

The prosecution of Liu, who turns 54 next Monday, has galvanised criticism of China's sweeping laws against political opponents, which the Party shows no signs of easing, despite robust economic growth and pressure from Western governments.

The Beijing First Intermediate People's Court that heard the case was heavily guarded by police and reporters were not allowed into the hearing. But in a small show of the forces that make Beijing jittery, rights activists and protesters, as well as diplomats from Western embassies, gathered on the street outside the court to condemn the trial.

"Mr. Liu is a well-known activist who has peacefully worked for the establishment of democratic processes in China," said Gregory May, a diplomat with the United States embassy in Beijing said, reading out a statement.