China activist nephew 'charged with murder'

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng said on Friday his nephew is facing a charge of “intentional murder” after attacking officials who broke into his home, despite the fact no one died in the encounter.

The nephew, Chen Kegui, is in detention after he attacked intruders who broke into the family home in eastern Shandong province apparently searching for his uncle following his dramatic escape from house arrest last month.

Lawyers for the nephew have said a local Communist Party official was injured seriously in the fight in the early hours of April 27 and two others were slightly injured, but no one died.
But Chen Guangcheng said police had issued an arrest warrant charging his nephew with “intentional murder” — an assertion backed by rights lawyers who have taken up his case.

“This is outrageous, it is totally unreasonable,” the blind activist told AFP by phone from the Beijing hospital where he is being treated for injuries sustained during the escape.