By IANS,
Beijing : A court in China Thursday rejected the appeal of Liu Xiaobo, a leading dissident, against an 11 year sentence by a lower court.
The Higher People’s Court of Beijing Municipality Thursday rejected the appeal against the verdict by the First Intermediate People’s Court of Beijing Municipality Dec 25.
A statement from the higher court said the final verdict was made after the court reviewed his case files, questioned Liu and heard opinions from his defence lawyers in a second trial, Xinhua reported.
Liu’s family and some members of the public were present in the court when the judgement was announced.
“Liu’s verdict is sound on legal basis and factual proof,” said Gao Mingxuan, president of the International Association of Penal Law China Branch.
Gao said although freedom of expression was an extremely important right of Chinese citizens, and was protected by China’s constitution, citizens could not exercise the right without any kind of restrictions.
Most countries in the world, including Germany, Sweden, Italy, and Singapore, had criminal laws aimed at stopping people from insulting and slandering others, instigating ethnic hatred and discrimination, and subverting the government, he said.