A court in Beijing has sentenced Australian writer Yang Hengjun, accused of espionage.
He was sentenced to death with a suspended sentence.
This was announced on February 5 by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on the social network X.
What verdict did the court give?
As the head of the Australian Foreign Ministry explained, if Hengjun does not commit serious crimes within 2 years, the death penalty will be commuted to life imprisonment.
The head of the Australian Foreign Ministry noted that the Australian government was shocked by the verdict.
According to media reports, the Australian Foreign Ministry summoned the Chinese Ambassador for clarification.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the sentencing of Hengjun. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, the case was examined by the court in strict accordance with the law, and the procedural rights of the accused and Australia’s consular rights were fully ensured.
The diplomat clarified that the sentence also provides for the confiscation of all personal property.
Hengjun was detained in China in 2019 on suspicion of threatening national security. He was later charged with espionage.
The then head of the Australian government, Scott Morrison, called the accusations untrue.
Previously, Hungary would not veto an increase in the European Peace Fund.
