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Prominent Chinese dissident Hu Jia freed - wife Chinese dissident Hu Jia released from jail
(about 1 hour later)
  
Prominent Chinese dissident Hu Jia has been released from prison and reunited with his family, his wife says.Prominent Chinese dissident Hu Jia has been released from prison and reunited with his family, his wife says.
Mr Hu, 37, served a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for "inciting subversion". His term had been set to end on Sunday.Mr Hu, 37, served a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence for "inciting subversion". His term had been set to end on Sunday.
He was active on a wide range of civil liberty issues, and also campaigned for the environment and support for Aids patients.He was active on a wide range of civil liberty issues, and also campaigned for the environment and support for Aids patients.
Mr Hu's release follows that of artist Ai Weiwei on Wednesday.Mr Hu's release follows that of artist Ai Weiwei on Wednesday.
Mr Ai's detention in April had prompted a global campaign for his release. Four of associates were also reported to have been freed.Mr Ai's detention in April had prompted a global campaign for his release. Four of associates were also reported to have been freed.
The Chinese authorities say Mr Ai, 53, has confessed to tax evasion offences.The Chinese authorities say Mr Ai, 53, has confessed to tax evasion offences.
'Malicious rumours''Malicious rumours'
Mr Hu's release come as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is visiting Europe, where Beijing's human rights issue is expected to be raised among other issues.Mr Hu's release come as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is visiting Europe, where Beijing's human rights issue is expected to be raised among other issues.
Mr Hu's wife, Zeng Jingyan, told Reuters news agency early on Sunday that her husband was now "back home with his parents and me" in Beijing.Mr Hu's wife, Zeng Jingyan, told Reuters news agency early on Sunday that her husband was now "back home with his parents and me" in Beijing.
She added that they did not want to give interviews at this stage, as it "might cause problems".She added that they did not want to give interviews at this stage, as it "might cause problems".
Rights activists have repeatedly expressed concern that Beijing may impose tough restrictions on Mr Hu after his release. The Chinese government has so far not commented on the move.Rights activists have repeatedly expressed concern that Beijing may impose tough restrictions on Mr Hu after his release. The Chinese government has so far not commented on the move.
Sophie Richardson of the New York-based Human Rights Watch group said earlier this week that "Hu Jia should never have been imprisoned in the first place".Sophie Richardson of the New York-based Human Rights Watch group said earlier this week that "Hu Jia should never have been imprisoned in the first place".
She also urged Beijing not to put him under informal house arrest.She also urged Beijing not to put him under informal house arrest.
Mr Hu was convicted and imprisoned in 2008.Mr Hu was convicted and imprisoned in 2008.
The charges related to five articles Mr Hu had written as well as interviews he had given to journalists in which he was critical of the Chinese authorities.The charges related to five articles Mr Hu had written as well as interviews he had given to journalists in which he was critical of the Chinese authorities.
China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported at the time that he had "spread malicious rumours, libel and instigation".China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported at the time that he had "spread malicious rumours, libel and instigation".
Mr Hu became particularly outspoken in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, publishing an open letter to the Chinese government titled The Real China and the Olympics, which called for an end to human rights abuses in the country.Mr Hu became particularly outspoken in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, publishing an open letter to the Chinese government titled The Real China and the Olympics, which called for an end to human rights abuses in the country.
In 2007, he was placed under house arrest after he and his wife made a documentary about their experiences of living under constant police surveillance.In 2007, he was placed under house arrest after he and his wife made a documentary about their experiences of living under constant police surveillance.
Mr Hu has won the European Union's top human rights award, the Sakharov prize, and is considered by Amnesty International as a former prisoner of conscience.Mr Hu has won the European Union's top human rights award, the Sakharov prize, and is considered by Amnesty International as a former prisoner of conscience.
Amnesty also stressed in a statement that at least 130 activists "have been detained, forcibly disappeared, harassed and imprisoned within their homes since February".Amnesty also stressed in a statement that at least 130 activists "have been detained, forcibly disappeared, harassed and imprisoned within their homes since February".