MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A Chinese-born Australian democracy blogger will not appeal his suspended death sentence handed down by a Beijing court. His family said Wednesday that a legal challenge would harm his well-being.
Yang Hengjun was found guilty of espionage in a closed trial and sentenced to death two weeks ago with a two-year probation period. Such sentences are often commuted to life imprisonment after the two years have elapsed.
A statement from Yang's family and close friends said they strongly supported the 58-year-old's decision to waive his right to appeal.
“There are two practical reasons why an appeal would be detrimental to Yang’s well-being,” the statement said.
First, there was no reason to believe that the justice system would make amends for his “unfair” sentence, it said. And second, an appeal would only delay the possibility of Yang receiving proper medical care after five years of “inhumane” treatment and “neglect” in detention, the statement continued.
Yang's supporters are calling on Australia to pressure China to release him from prison for medical treatment or transfer him to Australia.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia objected to the sentence handed down to Yang and would continue to call for his release.
“We will continue to make representations to China… on their behalf. “The Australian government will always stand up for the rights of Australian citizens,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said the courts “have handled the case in accordance with the law and will continue to protect all legitimate rights and interests of the person concerned.”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her government respected the “difficult decision” Yang made to waive his right to appeal and would continue to advocate for him at every opportunity and at the highest levels.
“I recognize the strength that Dr. “Yang’s family and friends have proven themselves during this time,” Wong said.
“All Australians want Dr. “Yang is reunited with his loved ones,” Wong added.
Yang, a former Chinese diplomat and state security agent who became a political commentator and author of spy novels in Australia, was arrested in January 2019 when he arrived in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou with his wife and teenage stepdaughter on a flight from New York.
He was tried in Beijing in May 2021. The details of his case have not been disclosed. Yang, who became an Australian citizen in 2002, denied working as a spy for Australia or the United States.
In a letter to his sons in August last year, Yang said he had not experienced direct sunlight for more than four years. He told his family that he feared he would die in custody after being diagnosed with a kidney cyst, prompting his supporters to call for his release for medical treatment.
In October last year, Australian journalist Cheng Lei was released after more than three years in prison in China for violating an embargo on a state-run television program.
The plights of Yang and Cheng have frequently been on the agenda of high-level meetings between the countries in recent years.