Diplomats Barred From Seeing Liu Xia

Mainland authorities have prevented a group of European diplomats from visiting the widow of the late dissident and Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, according to diplomatic sources.

Liu Xia is in poor health, and has been under de-facto house arrest since her husband was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010. She has never been charged. Liu Xiaobo died of cancer last year while in prison after being convicted of subversion.

The diplomats' attempted visit came following increased concern in recent days about Liu Xia psychological health. The sources said the five envoys, including a French and German, tried to visit her home on Friday morning but were turned away by officials at the gate. The guards checked the diplomats' identities before refusing them entry without giving a reason.

Despite the daily restrictions and surveillance faced by Liu Xia, mainland authorities maintain she is free.

Earlier this month reports emerged that she had told friends she was ready to "die at home" in protest at her continuing detention.

Liu Xiaobo was a veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and was detained in 2008 after co-authoring Charter 08, a petition calling for democratic reforms. (AFP)