bbc.co.uk

One of China’s best known dissidents, Chen Guangcheng, has escaped from house arrest and has released a video addressed to Premier Wen Jiabao.

In it he makes three demands, including one that Mr Wen investigate what Mr Chen, who is blind, calls the brutal beating up of his family members.

Rights activists say Mr Chen slipped out of his home in Dongshigu town in Shandong province on Sunday.

His whereabouts are unclear, but supporters say he is safe in Beijing.

Unconfirmed reports say Mr Chen may have taken refuge in a diplomatic mission.

Mr Chen, 40, had been under house arrest since he was released from a four-year jail sentence in 2010.

In the video, delivered from a darkened room and posted online by Boxun, a Chinese dissident news website based in the United States, Mr Chen asks that:

Premier Wen investigate and prosecute local officials Mr Chen says beat up his family members

The safety of his family be ensured

Corruption in general in China be dealt with and punished according to the law