China journalist speaks out:

A 72-year-old Chinese journalist jailed for “leaking state secrets” in a case that drew international condemnation spoke out for the first time on Thursday since her release on medical parole.

Veteran reporter Gao Yu was imprisoned last year for allegedly leaking a directive by the ruling Communist Party, warning against the “dangers” of multiparty democracy. She spent 18 months in custody before conviction.

The septuagenarian, who suffers from heart problems, had her seven-year sentence reduced to five in November, and was granted parole on medical grounds.

The official Xinhua news agency said at the time the sentence reduction was made