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full screen A court in Beijing has sentenced writer Yang Hengjun to a suspended death sentence. The sentence may be commuted to life imprisonment. Photo: Andy Wong/AP/TT
The Australian-Chinese writer and democracy advocate Yang Hengju has been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
That type of suspended death sentence can be commuted to life imprisonment after the two years.
Yang Hengjun was imprisoned in 2019 and charged with espionage. He has consistently denied the allegations, saying he has been tortured and that he fears coerced confessions will be used against him.
Australia, which has called for his release, condemns the death sentence.