World IN BRIEF : CHINA : Dissident Detained 8 Months Is Freed

China released leading dissident Liu Xiaobo after eight months in police custody without formal charges, making him one of the few dissidents at liberty outside the nation’s sprawling security apparatus. Liu, who was a leading activist during the 1989 student demonstrations for more democracy, said he had refused to sign any statements admitting errors or police documentation on his investigation and internal banishment. Liu said he had been in the suburbs of Beijing since he was taken into custody by police May 17.