Who is Yang Hengjun
Yang Hengjun is a pro-democracy blogger.
He is an Australian citizen born in China.
What happened to Yang Hengjun
He was given a suspended death sentence by a Beijing court.
What does “suspended death sentence” mean
It means the death sentence is put on hold.
After two years, it will automatically convert to life imprisonment.
When was Yang Hengjun detained
He was detained in China in 2019, at Guangzhou airport.
What was he accused of
He was accused of spying for an unidentified country.
Specific details of the charges are unknown.
When did the trial take place
The closed-door trial on espionage charges took place in May 2021.
The details of the trial have not been publicly disclosed.
What is Yang Hengjun’s response to the accusations
He consistently denies the accusations.
He claims he did not work as a spy for Australia or the United States.
What does Yang’s friend Feng Chongyi think
Feng Chongyi, a Sydney-based scholar and friend of Yang, sees it as a “serious case of injustice.”
He urges the Australian government to seek medical parole for Yang.
What is the Australian government doing
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed deep concern over delays in Yang’s case.
She advocates for Yang’s well-being at the highest levels.
What do Yang’s sons want
Yang’s two sons, residing in Australia, wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
They are requesting Yang’s release on medical grounds.
How has China responded
The Chinese foreign ministry has not immediately responded to requests for comments on the case.