US criticises arrest of Aids campaigner

The United States says the arrest in China of prominent Aids activist and human rights campaigner Hu Jia last month is "disturbing" and Washington has raised his case with the authorities in Beijing.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington was closely following the arrest of Hu, 34.

Police in China have also prevented Hu's wife, fellow activist Zeng Jinyan, their newborn baby and Zeng's mother from leaving the couple's Beijing home. Time magazine has named Hu as one of the world's 100 most influential people.

- REUTERS