Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo's widow leaves China

After about eight years of house arrest, Liu Xia, widow of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, has left China. She left for Berlin, Germany on Tuesday, CNN reported, citing her brother Liu Hui, as saying in a message to friends shared with CNN.

"My sister left Beijing midday today. She is flying to Europe to start her life anew. I'm grateful for all those who cared about and helped her over the years," Liu Hui said.

"I also pray that our parents and my brother-in-law will continue to bless her. I hope her life from now on is filled with peace and happiness," he added.

Liu Xia was kept under house arrest since her husband was awarded with the Nobel Prize in 2010. According to the report, she left the country days before the first death anniversary of her husband.

The Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate died of lung cancer last July in a hospital in northeastern China.

His death came a month after he was granted medical parole from 11-year prison sentence for "inciting subversion of state power."

Liu Xia, in May, made a desperate plea for help saying that there was nothing left in the world for her. A march was organized in Hong Kong on July 1 this year, demanding her release.