A Beijing Courtroom sentenced veteran Chinese language state media journalist Dong Yuyu on Friday to seven years in jail for espionage, in keeping with Dong’s household in a press release supplied to Reuters.
Dong’s household referred to as the decision a “grave injustice” to Dong, his household, and “to each freethinking Chinese language journalist and each abnormal Chinese language dedicated to pleasant engagement with the world.” The household mentioned the courtroom categorized Japanese diplomats with whom Dong met “as brokers of an ‘espionage group.” The courtroom thus allowed the Chinese language authorities to contemplate international embassies inside China as “espionage group[s].”
The Chinese language authorities arrested Dong in February 2022 whereas he was eating with a Japanese diplomat at a Beijing restaurant. Since his arrest, the authorities have detained Dong and prohibited any visits or communications along with his household.
US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns condemned the sentencing on Friday. He said: “Punishing Dong for exercising his freedom of speech and the press, assured by the PRC’s structure for all residents, is unjust.” US State Division Spokesperson Matthew Miller additionally denounced the ruling, calling for Dong’s “quick and unconditional launch.”
Reporters With out Borders (RSF) additionally referred to as for Dong’s launch, stating that the one proof introduced towards him was his contact with international diplomats and scholarships he obtained from worldwide universities. RSF’s Asia-Pacific Bureau Director Cédric Alviani said: “Sustaining relationships with international diplomats and teachers is a standard a part of a journalist’s work, and labelling these connections as espionage is simply absurd.”
In response to the worldwide consideration, Chinese language International Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China follows the rule of regulation and handles instances in keeping with authorized procedures. She added that people who violate the regulation can be held accountable.
After graduating from the Peking College Legislation Faculty in 1987, Dong grew to become an editor and journalist of Guangming Day by day, a information company run by the Chinese language Communist Celebration. In his articles, Dong typically expressed help for the rule of regulation and constitutional democracy. He as soon as criticized the Chinese language Communist Celebration’s selective interpretation of Chinese language historical past, which he mentioned downplays the get together’s position throughout darkish durations such because the Cultural Revolution.
Affiliate Professor of Chinese language Research on the Sydney College of Science and Expertise Feng Chongyi stated that Dong’s articles, not his interactions with foreigners, have been the first motive the authorities have scrutinized him. Feng added that having relationships with international media or diplomats used to function a type of umbrella insurance coverage within the 2000s for the reason that Chinese language authorities was involved with the worldwide repercussions that might come up from such connections. Nonetheless, underneath President Xi Jinping, such relationships have led to accusations of being a international spy, worsening the state of affairs for people like Dong Yuyu.
RSF additionally criticized the Chinese language authorities underneath Xi Jinping, claiming that the free unfold of knowledge has been criminalized underneath his management. The group ranked China 172 out of 180 international locations and territories in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index and said that the nation “is the world’s largest jail for journalists.”
Source / Picture: jurist.org
