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Chinese dissident Hu Jia released from jail Chinese dissident Hu Jia released from jail
(40 minutes 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.
There is a heavy police presence outside the Beijing home of Mr Hu, who now appears to be under some form of house arrest, a BBC correspondent says.There is a heavy police presence outside the Beijing home of Mr Hu, who now appears to be under some form of house arrest, a BBC correspondent says.
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 his 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.
Mr Hu's release comes 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 comes as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is visiting Europe, where Beijing's human rights issue is expected to be raised among other issues.
'Malicious rumours''Malicious rumours'
Mr Hu's wife, Zeng Jingyan, said in her Twitter post that her husband had been freed at 0230 local time on Sunday (1830GMT on Saturday).Mr Hu's wife, Zeng Jingyan, said in her Twitter post that her husband had been freed at 0230 local time on Sunday (1830GMT on Saturday).
"We are fine and happy. Need to rest for some time. Thank you everyone," the message said."We are fine and happy. Need to rest for some time. Thank you everyone," the message said.
Mrs Zeng later told Reuters news agency that they did not want to give interviews at this stage, as it "might cause problems".Mrs Zeng later told Reuters news agency that they did not want to give interviews at this stage, as it "might cause problems".
There is a huge security presence outside Mr Hu's compound, and journalists are being kept out, the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing reports.There is a huge security presence outside Mr Hu's compound, and journalists are being kept out, the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Beijing reports.
It appears that - like Ai Weiwei - Mr Hu has been silenced, put under close surveillance, and banned from talking to the media, our correspondent adds. It appears that - like Ai Weiwei - Mr Hu has been silenced, put under close surveillance and banned from talking to the media, our correspondent adds.
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".