Beijing court condemned to death Australian writer Yang Hongjunfive years after he was first detained in China on espionage charges and three years after his trial, Reuters reported, citing a family friend.
China has charged an Australian writer with espionage
Jan was sentenced to death, but the execution of the sentence was postponed.
Australian authorities said they were appalled by the the suspended death sentence, issued by China against Yang, the Associated Press reported. Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said in a statement that it was “heartbreaking news for Dr Yang, his family and all those who have supported him”.
Yang Hongjun was detained in China on January 19, 2019 upon his arrival at Guangzhou International Airport from New York along with his wife and stepdaughter.
In May 2021, he went on trial behind closed doors in Beijing on espionage charges. However, the details of the case against him are still unknown. Yang completely denies the allegations and maintains that he did not work as a spy for Australia or the US.
IN China suspended death sentences are usually commuted to life sentences after a certain period of time, the AP noted.
Jan was born in China and was a diplomat and intelligence agent before moving to the private sector in Hong Kong and later in Australia. In 2002, he became an Australian citizen. China does not recognize dual citizenship, AP notes.
IN Australia became known as a spy novelist, pro-democracy blogger, and political commentator.
Initially Ian was arrested under a form of detention known as “residential surveillance at a specified location”, during which he was denied access to his family and lawyers. This is a commonly used detention method in China, especially in cases of national security threats, where the detainee is housed in a guarded residence under constant surveillance. Yang was later transferred to a detention center in Beijing.
In a letter to the sons in August last year Ian states that he has not seen direct sunlight for over four years. He has told his family he fears he will die in custody after a kidney cyst was discovered, prompting supporters to call for his release so he can receive medical treatment.
Wong stated that Australia “will communicate its response in the strongest terms” and will continue to advocate for Ian’s best interests and well-being, including providing him with appropriate medical care.
Through October last year the Australian journalist Chen Lei was released after more than three years in custody in China for violating a television embargo on the state television network.
In recent years, the fate of Yang and Chen has often been on the agenda of high-level meetings between Australia and ChinaAP notes.
2024-02-05 07:33:00
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