China cremates body of Nobel laureate and dissident Liu Xiaobo

Beijing : The body of China's late Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo was cremated Saturday after a private ceremony attended by his family, as Beijing faces international pressure to let the dissident's wife leave the country.

Liu's remains were incinerated "in accordance with the will of his family members and local customs" in the northeastern city of Shenyang, said Zhang Qingyang, an official from the municipal office.

Officials released photos showing his wife, the poet Liu Xia, with her brother, Liu Xiaobo's brother and friends in front of the body, which was covered with white petals and surrounded by flowers at a funeral home.

China's government faced a global backlash for denying the democracy advocate's wish to be treated abroad. After his death, the United States and European Union called on Beijing to free Liu Xia, who has been under house arrest since 2010, and let her leave the country. 

"As far as I know, Liu Xia is in a free condition," Zhang said, though it was unclear whether she was released as he did not provide more details about her situation.

Authorities have severely restricted Liu Xia's contact with the outside world and Jared Genser, a US lawyer who represented the Nobel Peace Prize winner, said she has been held "incommunicado" since her husband's death.