Beijing court upholds sentence for Liu Xiaobo

The Higher People's Court of Beijing Municipality on Thursday rejected Liu Xiaobo's appeal and upheld the first-instance trial verdict on his convicted crime of agitation aimed at subversion of the government.

He was sentenced to 11 years of imprisonment on Dec. 25, 2009 by the First Intermediate People's Court of Beijing Municipality.

A statement from the higher court said the final verdict was made after the court reviewed his case files, questioned Liu himself, heard opinions of his defense lawyers and conducted a second-instance trial.

Liu's family and some members of the public were present at the open rendition of judgement.

Source:Xinhua