Reuters

Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo has had his appeal against an 11-year prison sentence rejected by a court in Beijing, his lawyer has said.

Mr Liu was convicted six weeks ago on charges of subversion, to widespread international condemnation.

The United States and the European Union have called for the 54-year-old dissident’s immediate release.

In 2008, Mr Liu co-wrote a direct appeal to Chinese authorities calling for expanded political freedoms.

The dissident’s wife, Liu Xia, had said earlier that she had little hope of a reprieve.

“I’m preparing for the worst,” she said. “If you’re not that hopeful, then you can’t be disappointed.”

‘Persecution’

The United States also hit out at what it called the “persecution” of individuals for expressing their political views, saying it was inconsistent with globally recognised human rights standards.

People are treated for injuries in Hong Kong, 25 December
Hong Kong people protested at the initial conviction of Liu XIaobo

Mr Liu was previously jailed over the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy protests, a conviction which also sparked international condemnation.

Diplomats from 17 countries were outside the court when the appeal was rejected.     more …