BEIJING (AP) - China has freed five Americans who staged a protest on Mount Everest this week against the upcoming Beijing Olympics to challenge China's rule over Tibet.
The five Americans were arrested for what China says were "illegal activities aimed at splitting China." An announcement today says they were expelled in accordance with Chinese law.
They five had unfurled a protest banner at a base camp on Mount Everest as Beijing was about to announce the route for the Olympic torch ahead of next summer's games.
Olympic organizers are planning an 85-thousand-mile, 130-day trek that will cross five continents and scale Mount Everest.
Taking the Olympic torch to the top of Mount Everest is seen by some as a way for Beijing to underscore its claims to Tibet. It's also expected to be one of the relay's highlights.
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