Chen Guangcheng, the blind Chinese dissident now living in the United States, has said his relatives in China are being put under pressure by Chinese government officials.

Chen's brother, Chen Guangfu, seemingly following in his brother's footsteps, fled his village in eastern China in the middle of the night, and turned up in Beijing.

He said he escaped to seek legal advice for his son, who is facing a murder charge after allegedly fighting off local security officials with a knife.

Chen Guangcheng said the way his relatives are treated will indicate how serious China is about achieving rule of law.

He has said China must prosecute those who harassed him and his family.

Al Jazeera's Rob McBride reports from Hong Kong.