(CNN) -- The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Liu Xiaobo, a leading Chinese dissident who is serving an 11-year prison term after repeatedly calling for human rights and democratization, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday.
Liu was sentenced in 2009 for inciting subversion of state power. He is the co-author of Charter 08, a call for political reform and human rights, and was an adviser to the student protesters at Tiananmen Square in 1989.
Liu's wife, Liu Xia, told CNN she could not wait to visit him in prison in northern China and tell him the news. She said she was packing under the surveillance of police officers who have promised to take her to visit her husband the next day.
"I am totally shocked and feel so happy," she said. "I've never dreamed about this. Friends have asked me to prepare for a speech, but I've only prepared one for Xiaobo not winning the prize".
Liu Xia said she regretted her husband couldn't share the moment with her. She said he will be "surprised and humbled" to find out, but also feel "a greater sense of responsibilities" because of the great honor.
"It's an affirmation of what he has fought for," she said.
His lawyer, Shang Baojun, said the win may mean Liu will have to spend longer in prison.
CNN
