A Chinese-Australian writer has received a suspended death penalty in China

Sydney – CNN

A Chinese-Australian writer has received a suspended death penalty in China, five years after he was detained on espionage charges, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Australian Foreign Minister expresses concerns

The Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has expressed her concerns over the recent sentencing of Yang Hengjun. Yang, an Australian citizen and democracy activist of Chinese descent, received the suspended death penalty on Monday from a court in Beijing, stated Wong in an official Australian government statement. The Australian government has condemned the sentence, describing it as “appalling.”

Suspension and potential implications

The suspended death penalty could possibly be commuted to a life sentence after two years if Yang does not engage in any serious crimes during this period, according to Wong. The news has left Yang, his family, and his supporters in shock, and they are expressing their concerns and anxieties over the situation. The Australian government has promised to support Yang and his family throughout this difficult time.

The long detention and closed-door trial

Yang, who was detained in 2019 while visiting his family in China, has consistently denied the espionage charges made against him. His case has been shrouded in secrecy, with Chinese authorities providing limited details about the accusations and the alleged involvement of foreign forces. Yang’s trial took place behind closed doors in 2021, with Australian diplomats being denied entry. The final verdict and sentence were repeatedly delayed, causing further distress to Yang and his loved ones.

Calls for humanitarian considerations

Yang’s supporters are urging the Australian government to intervene on his behalf due to his deteriorating health. They argue that Yang’s sentence is a result of his criticisms of China’s human rights abuses and his advocacy for democratic values. Despite Yang’s Australian citizenship, he spent most of his time in the United States as a visiting scholar at Columbia University before his arrest.

Tensions between Beijing and Canberra

The sentence handed down to Yang is the latest incident to strain the relationship between China and Australia, particularly in cases involving national security. Last year, Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei was finally released after being detained in China for over three years on espionage charges. Similar to Yang’s case, concerns were raised about the lack of transparency and access to a fair trial throughout Cheng Lei’s detention.