Australian academic given suspended death sentence by China

ISTANBUL

Incarcerated Australian academic Yang Jun has been given a suspended death sentence by a Chinese court.

Chinese-born Yang Jun, or Yang Hengjun, 59, was convicted of espionage.

Beijing on Monday confirmed the sentence which was pronounced by the Second Intermediate People's Court in the capital, and said Yang’s “personal property was confiscated.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra was “appalled” over the sentencing, calling it “harrowing news for Dr Yang, his family, and all who have supported him.”

The sentence can be commuted to life imprisonment after two years of good behavior.

“Like so many Australians, I am moved by Dr Yang's strength, and the strength of his family and friends. The Australian government will be communicating our response in the strongest terms,” Wong further said.

The academic was detained in January 2019 at the airport in Guangzhou when he landed in the Chinese city with his family after flying from the US.

The verdict was delayed several times after a closed trial in May 2021.

In Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters: “The court handled the case in accordance with the law, fully safeguarding Yang's various litigation rights, respecting and implementing the consular rights of the Australian side.”

He added that the Australian side was notified to attend the pronouncement of the verdict.