Australian father Yang Hengjun has been sentenced to death by a Chinese court, but his life could be spared after a two-year reprieve for good behaviour.
The ruling, which commutes the death sentence to life imprisonment after two years if no more crimes are committed, effectively means the pro-democracy writer will spend the rest of his life in prison on espionage charges that Yang's family has always vehemently denied. And the Australian government.
Australian writer Yang Hengjun.credit: Sanghi Liu
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government was “appalled by the outcome”. Wong said she had directed Foreign Minister Jean Adams to summon China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian.
“Australia will not relent in standing up for justice for the interests and well-being of Dr Yang,” she added. “All Australians want to see Dr Yang reunited with his family.”
Yang's supporter, Dr. Feng Zhongye, accused the Chinese government of “blatant political persecution.”
“The Chinese government punished him for his criticism of human rights violations in China and his defense of universal values such as human rights, democracy and the rule of law,” Feng said.
Feng said that his friend would have difficulty appealing the ruling due to his deteriorating health condition.
“Five years of arbitrary detention and torture have taken a toll on his health. He is now in a critical condition. Dr. Yang’s top priority is to receive appropriate medical treatment in exchange for immediate medical conditional release.
