Jailed dissident sees attorneys for first time in six months

Jun 27, 2009, 9:12 GMT

Beijing - Lawyers for Chinese dissident Liu Xiabo met with the writer for the first time since he was detained more than six months ago, a rights group said Saturday.

   Lawyers Shang Baojun and Ding Xikui met with Liu Friday afternoon for 40 minutes at a police detention centre in Beijing, according to Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD).

   Liu, 53, was detained in a secret location in early December for his involvement in 'Charter 08,' a manifesto calling for increased protection of human rights and political reforms. He was formally charged on June 23 with 'inciting subversion of state power.'

   At the meeting, Liu told the lawyers that police investigations focused on his involvement with the charter, and more than 20 other articles he published between 2001-08, the CHRD said.

   Liu said he had not been tortured to force a confession during his detention, and maintained he was not guilty of any crime as he was only exercising his freedom of expression as guaranteed by the Chinese constitution.

   Lawyers Shang and Ding told CHRD that authorities violated proper procedure on several occasions, including not allowing them to talk privately with their client as specified in the Lawyers' Law. A police officer was reportedly present for Friday's meeting.

   Liu's detention has been condemned internationally, with German, US, and EU leaders expressing concern at the charges.