Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer and pro-democracy activist, has been detained in China for five years on charges of espionage which both he and Australia have rejected. He was recently given a suspended death sentence, which could be commuted to life imprisonment for good behavior. His arrest and subsequent sentencing have caused outrage in Australia, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressing the government’s appall at the outcome and vowing to respond in the strongest terms, including summoning the Chinese ambassador.
Yang’s friends and family, as well as the Australian government, have consistently denied the charges against him. His supporters believe that he is being punished by the Chinese government for his criticism of human rights abuses and advocacy for universal values. Despite limited access to lawyers and a lack of transparency regarding the exact charges against him, Yang was put on trial in May 2021.
The sentencing has caused distress for Yang and his family, as well as for his supporters who believe that he is being unfairly targeted for his beliefs and activism.