Liu Xia, wife of 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, has been held under house arrest in Beijing for over two years since her husband’s award was announced. Three weeks after a team from the Associated Press managed to gain access to her apartment, however, Liu has received another surprise visit from Chinese activists including Hu Jia, who posted the above video. The four pushed past a guard to reach her, but quickly agreed to leave at Liu’s request. From the AFP:
It was the first time in more than two years that friends have been able to see Liu, who has not been charged with any offence.
She appears emotionally shaken by the visit and is seen asking the visitors to leave, apparently out of fear of retribution from the authorities.
[…] The visit took place on Friday, Liu Xiaobo’s birthday.
[…] “The video is all about fear and anxiety,” Hu said. “She has already lost a lot of hope. The authorities are making her fearful. What she is afraid of is her family will come under pressure.
“Imagine people come to visit you after two years under illegal house arrest and all she feels is fear that the authorities will crack down further.”
See more on Liu Xia and Liu Xiaobo via CDT.
