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PM urges detained writer’s release after appeal waived
The prime minister is advocating for the release of Australian Dr Yang Hengjun after the jailed writer decided not to appeal his suspended death sentence.
Yang was found guilty of espionage charges in China in February after spending five years in prison.
He will still face the prospect of life behind bars at the end of a two-year suspended death sentence.
In a letter, Yang’s family and friends said they supported the imprisoned writer’s decision to waive his right to appeal:
Commencing an appeal would only delay the possibility of adequate and supervised medical care, after five years of inhumane treatment and abject medical neglect.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, said work will continue by officials in calling for his release from prison. He told ABC radio:
We will continue to make representations to China that, in his interests, the Australian government will always stand up for the rights of Australian citizens.
We object in the strongest possible terms to the sentence that was handed out to him.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, said the government respects the “difficult decision” Yang made.
I acknowledge the strength that Dr Yang’s family and friends have demonstrated through this period.
All Australians want to see…
2024-02-21 01:19:01
Post from www.theguardian.com