China is slinging mud at the country's most famous pro-democracy activist, accusing the Stockholm committee of possible "interference" in Chinese justice and domestic affairs. The same protests took place in 1989, after the Nobel Prize was given to the Dalai Lama.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Hu Jia, a human rights activist nominated for the Nobel Prize, is simply "a criminal." Giving him the prize would be the same as interfering in the country's legal affairs. This is how China, through foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang, has commented on the rumors according to which Hu, sentenced to three years and six months in prison for spreading pro-democracy news on the internet, could receive the international prize.

"Everyone knows what kind of person Hu Jia is," Qin Gang said. "He is a criminal that was convicted and sentenced to prison by the state judiciary of inciting the subversion of state power." "If they award the peace prize to such a person," he continued, "it would be rude interference in China's internal affairs as well as our independent judiciary."

Hu, 35, was arrested last December and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for "subversion against the state." According to the judges, part of the evidence against him was a few articles published on the internet revealing his "relationship with foreign powers, intended to discredit China's image." Hu is known all over the country for his struggle on behalf of people sick with AIDS, and his efforts against the spread of the HIV virus. He has always fought for the democratic development of China, for absolute religious freedom in the country, and for a review of the situation of Tibet, which "should be free to determine its own future."

Over time, he has also become a sort of point of reference for Chinese dissidents: he has gathered articles, prepared legal briefs, and presented to the international community the work of all of the opponents of the Chinese regime. He has collaborated with foreign media and with embassies, providing material on the violations of human rights committed by the communist party.

In 1989, the Nobel prize was given to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan leader in exile, viewed unfavorably by Beijing. At that time as well, China criticized the decision of the Oslo committee who decides the winner.

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