Australian author Penny Wong receives a suspended death sentence from a Chinese court

Australian author Penny Wong receives a suspended death sentence from a Chinese court

February 5, Canberra, Australia (ANI): Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Chinese court has sentenced Australian novelist Yang Hengjun to life in prison with a suspended death sentence. Wong described the Chinese court's ruling as "disturbing" and "horrible," and he summoned China's envoy for explanation today afternoon, ABC News reported.

A report from ABC News states that after two years, if good conduct is maintained, the suspended death sentence might be changed to life in prison. Yang Hengjun, an Australian citizen, is a writer and democracy campaigner who has been detained in China since 2019 on suspicion of espionage. Yang Hengjun has always refuted the accusations.

"The Australian Government is shocked that Australian citizen Dr. Yang Jun has been made given a suspended execution notice in Beijing today," Penny Wong said in a statement. We are aware that the person's sentence of two years in jail, which may be converted to life in prison, will apply if they choose not to commit suicide."Any major offense that occurs within two years."For Dr. Yang, his family, and all of his supporters, this is devastating news.

Penny Wong emphasized that Yang Hengjun has more channels for appeal and that the government would keep pushing for him. The Australian government has filed a plea to get the Australian writer released.

Australian authorities were reportedly unable to attend Yang Hengjun's 2021 closed trial. "We have continually asked for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness as well as humane treatment for Dr. Yang, which complies with international norms and China's law," Wong said. duty."

"Every Australian wants to see Dr. Yang reunited with his family," he said. We won't falter in our support."

Yang's family was "shocked and devastated by this news, which is the worst of expectations," according to a statement made by one of his supporters. They will need some time to comprehend this."

Yang Hengjun's family wrote to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023, alerting him of the fast deteriorating state of his health and pleading with Albanese "to do all we can" to ensure his release while he was in China. was asked to give it a go.

For over five years, Yang Hengjun has been held in detention in China. His family, according to ABC News, believes they have little hope of getting him released.

With China's decision to free former state TV anchor Cheng Lei H, some of Yang's fans felt hopeful.

The family of Yang stated, "We are inspired by the wonderful news of Cheng Lei's release and return to Melbourne." The family concluded, "We hope that you, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Ambassador Graham Fletcher might accomplish a second miracle by saving our father."

An Australian government source was quoted in an ABC News story as saying that Yang's case was "related to Chang Lei"."Very different" . But no more information was provided.

Human Rights Watch's director for Australia, Daniela Gavshon, said that diplomatic attempts fell short. The Chinese court's ruling was referred to by Gavshon as a "humiliating outcome for Dr. Yang and his supporters."

"This is evidence of Beijing's corrupt and opaque criminal justice system, rather than of any wrongdoing," Gavshon said, after years of arbitrary incarceration and a closed trial. Based on such little information, a person may get a death sentence." "The punishment that can be given is extremely worrying."

"A terrible reminder that the serious differences between our institutions of government and our justice systems [and] a reminder of the potential dangers that business faces," said Simon Birmingham, the Coalition's foreign affairs spokeswoman, in response to the announcement, telling ABC News that he was "astonished" by the decision.

Birmingham emphasized that the Australian government's "top priority" in talks with China should be Yang's situation. He did not, however, condemn the administration or demand any particular actions. "It is crucial that we handle these cases gradually, keeping Dr. Yang's best interests in mind," he said.