Does Yang Hengjun have any legal hopes left after receiving a suspended death sentence in China?

Tue, 5 Mar 2024 21:16:23 +1100

Andrew Pam <xanni [at] glasswings.com.au>

Andrew Pam
<https://theconversation.com/does-yang-hengjun-have-any-legal-hopes-left-after-receiving-a-suspended-death-sentence-in-china-222750>

"The Chinese-Australian academic and writer, Yang Hengjun, has been detained in
China for five years on suspicion of spying for Australia.

A secret trial was held in 2021 with no family, friends or Australian consular
officials permitted in the courtroom. The verdict was then delayed at least
seven times, according to Amnesty International.

Today, his fate has finally been made clear: Yang received a suspended death
sentence which can be commuted to life in prison after two years of good
behaviour.

Espionage is a capital crime in China, so it is unsurprising he faces the death
penalty, though the precise nature of the charges against him have never been
made clear. He has always denied the espionage charges against him, as has the
Australian government.

Australia will undoubtedly continue to put diplomatic pressure on China to
release Yang, but does he have any rights remaining under international law?
And how often does China actually use the death penalty?"

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics

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