Chen Wei jailed in China for 'subversive' writing

Chinese writer Chen Wei has been sentenced to nine years in jail for "inciting subversion of state power". - Mr Chen published several essays online calling for freedom of speech and reform of China's one-party system. He was among hundreds of dissidents detained earlier this year after online calls for protests in China inspired by the uprisings in the Middle East. He told the court he was not guilty and that "democracy will prevail" in China, say reports. Mr Chen has always insisted he was simply expressing his opinions as allowed under the Chinese constitution. His wife told the BBC the trial had been "a performance" and that the verdict had been decided before it began. The indictment against Mr Chen listed several essays he wrote for foreign websites on topics including pieces which criticised the political system in China and praised the growth of civil society.