China has permitted the widow of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo to leave the country and go to Berlin. Liu Xia remained under house arrest for eight years. Her situation drove the artist and poet into depression and resulted in criticism of China’s human rights record.

Liu Xia had never been charged with a crime. Her release comes after years of campaigning by Western governments and activists. It also comes almost one year after the death of dissident Liu Xiaobo. He died while serving a prison sentence for “inciting subversion.”

Liu Xia's brother, Liu Hui, wrote on a social media site: “Sister has already left Beijing for Europe at noon to start her new life. Thanks to everyone who has helped and cared for her these few years. I hope from now on her life is peaceful and happy.”

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is currently visiting Germany. In May, the German government said it would welcome Liu after a recording was released of her crying and saying she had lost hope of being able to leave China.

Friends say Liu Xia had expressed an interest in going to Germany, where she has a network of friends among Chinese dissidents. German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets regularly with dissidents during visits to China. She has discussed Liu Xia's case with Chinese officials. People who know about the issue said Merkel also discussed Liu’s case during a visit in May.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel urged the Chinese government to let Liu Xia and her brother leave China for Germany after the death of Liu Xiaobo in July of 2017.​

Aliqismet BADALOV,

“Khalq qazeti”