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Alert

Serious concerns about continued detention of Internet writer Liu Di

(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN is seriously concerned about the continued detention of Internet writer and student Liu Di, who has been held incommunicado for almost a year without charge or trial.

According to WiPC's information, Liu, a psychology student at Beijing University, was arrested on 7 November 2002 for posting online essays critical of the Chinese government, although to date no details of any charges against her have been made known. She was arrested ahead of the 16th Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress, which took place in Beijing from 8 to 14 November. Police also reportedly searched her home and confiscated notebooks, floppy disks and a computer. Officials informed her family that she was being investigated for "participating in an illegal organisation," but no further explanation as to the reason for her arrest has been offered. Since her arrest nearly a year ago, Liu has been held incommunicado, and until recently her family were not informed of her whereabouts. She is still denied family visits, although her family is now allowed to send in books and clothes. Liu celebrated her 24th birthday on 7 October 2003. She uses the pseudonym "Stainless Steel Mouse" ("bu xiu gang laoshu") for her writing.