Why Chen Left Embassy: China Threatened to Kill Wife

He speaks to AP, says he wants to leave country
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted May 2, 2012 10:25 AM CDT
Why Chen Left Embassy: China Threatened to Kill Wife
In this undated photo, blind activist Chen Guangcheng, center, is seen in a village in China.   (AP Photo/Supporters of Chen Guangcheng, HO)

The plot thickens. Chen Guangcheng today spoke to the AP via phone from his hospital room, and revealed why he actually left the US Embassy: He says an American official shared with him that China threatened to kill Chen's wife if he didn't go. A US official, however, claimed no knowledge of the threat, but did say that Chen was informed his family would be sent home if he remained in the embassy. Chen tells the AP that he now fears for his safety and wants to leave the country. (More Chen Guangcheng stories.)

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