Beijing , China ( CNN ) -- Prominent Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo , who was arrested in 1989 for his role in the Tiananmen Square protest , faces trial Wednesday for allegedly `` inciting subversion '' in a more recent case . Liu , a former university lecturer and literary critic , faces a possible 15-year jail sentence , amid growing international outrage over his yearlong detention , according to media reports . The trial begins Wednesday at 9 a.m. local time ( Tuesday 8 p.m . ET ) . On Monday , the Times of London quoted Liu 's wife , Liu Xia , as saying , `` I have no hope whatsoever , I ca n't even attend the trial . '' She said she planned to wait outside the courthouse . `` I think he will be sentenced to more than ten years , '' she said . Liu , 53 , was detained on December 8 , 2008 , and held under `` residential surveillance '' as police investigated the case , according to the PEN American Center , a U.S. literary and human rights organization . On June 23 of this year , he was arrested and charged with inciting subversion of state power , the organization said . Liu is on the PEN board of directors . The case was turned over to the prosecutor 's office December 8 -- one year from the time Liu was detained . Liu co-authored Charter 08 , `` a declaration calling for political reform , greater human rights , and an end to one-party rule in China that has been signed by hundreds of individuals from all walks of life throughout the country , '' PEN says on its Web site . The group said Liu was arrested before the formal release of Charter 08 . `` Liu has been engaged in agitation activities , such as spreading of rumors and defaming of the government , aimed at subversion of the state and overthrowing the socialism system in recent years , '' according to a police statement reported by China 's state-run Xinhua news agency . The statement claimed Liu confessed to the charge during a preliminary police investigation . Liu served as an adviser to student leaders during the demonstrations at Tiananmen Square in 1989 . Along with three other intellectuals , he took part in hunger strikes there on June 2 of that year prior to the crackdown to show support for the flagging student protests . He was arrested two days after the Tiananmen crackdown and was released in 1991 . In May 1995 he was detained again for collecting signatures for a petition calling for human rights guarantees . The U.S. government has pressed for Liu 's release . `` The U.S. government is deeply disturbed by reports that Liu Xiaobo has been formally arrested and charged with serious crimes , '' said Richard Buangan , deputy spokesman at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing , following Liu 's latest arrest . `` We call on the government of China to release Mr. Liu and respect the rights of all Chinese citizens who peacefully express their desire for internationally recognized freedoms . ''
Tiananmen dissident Liu faces trial 1989 . Liu is being charged with `` inciting subversion '' Liu was also arrested in 1989 for his role in the Tiananmen Square protest . The Beijing government has pressed for Liu Xiaobo 's release .