BEIJING, MAY 24 (AP/UNB) - The brother of a Chinese legal activist who triggered a diplomatic standoff between Washington and Beijing has fled his closely guarded village in the country's east.

Attorney Ding Xikui says he met Chen Guangcheng's brother in Beijing on Thursday to discuss the case of his son, who is accused of attempted murder following a clash with local officials after Chen's own escape.

After seven years of prison and house arrest, Chen fled his rural village in April and was given sanctuary at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. He arrived in New York over the weekend in a deal between Beijing and Washington.

Chen and other activists have expressed concern that local authorities will retaliate against his extended family.