Chinese courts have given Australian writer Yang Hengjun a death sentence

Chinese courts have given Australian writer Yang Hengjun a death sentence

February 5, UPI Australian writer Yang Hengjun was handed over without information leaving the page by a Beijing court.

   Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Monday that the execution sentence had been postponed, almost five years after he had been imprisoned in China on accusations related to national security.

In a statement, Wong affirmed the suspended sentence and said that the Australian government is aware that Yang's sentence may be reduced to life in prison provided he does not commit any major crimes over the following two years.

"This is tragic news for Dr. Yang, his family and everyone who embraced him," he said.

In January 2019, Yang—a writer, blogger, ex-diplomat from China, and vocal opponent of the Beijing administration—was arrested in China. According to US sources, he was kept under wraps for a few months before being charged two months later and being officially detained in August. an investigator.

His trial behind closed doors was set for May 27, 2021, according to Australian authorities; the news on Monday after many postponements.

Wong said, "This time has been very challenging. I am impressed by Dr. Yang's resilience and the strength of his family and friends, just as a lot of Australians are."

He stated that Australia "will continue to press for Dr. Yang's interests as well as well-being, including providing acceptable medical treatment along with consular assistance to him and his family." He added that Australia has continuously supported Yang at the highest levels of the Chinese government.

He said, "We won't give up on our advocacy."

The Second Intermediate People's Court in Beijing judged him guilty of spying and sentenced him to death with a two-year reprieve. His personal assets were also seized, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin, who announced the verdict on Monday. A confiscation order was issued. According to the newspaper Global Times.

Australia has often called on Chinese authorities to provide an explanation for the allegations against Yang and to free him immediately, expressing concern about his incarceration and health.

Yang's access to legal counsel was restricted or delayed, according to Australia's then-foreign minister Marise Payne, and he was not allowed to see his family until the start date of his closed-door trial was announced in May 2021.

US on China's human rights violations According to a 2020 national report, Yang was subjected to more than 300 interrogations "four to five hours at a time, at all hours of the day and night."

Human Rights Watch's interim China director, Maya Wang, claimed on Monday that "this heavy sentence is worrying after arbitrary detention, torture, and an unfair trial."

"What's even more upsetting is that Yang may have been punished for being critical of China."

Yang's sentencing was characterized by a Liberal Party member from Australia as a tactic used to scare those who stand up for democracy and free speech.

In a statement on X, he said, "The fate of Dr. Yang Hengjun concerns to all of us." "Securing their freedom are required to be a line in the sand."

A month after Ottawa had jailed Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, Yang was arrested by the Asian country on allegations of national security, along with two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. observed.

September 2021 saw the release of Kovrig and Spavor, soon after Meng was freed by Canada.