Beijing Second Intermediate People’s Court sentenced Dr. Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer, to a suspended death sentence on Monday. The sentence can be reduced to a life sentence after two years of good behaviour.

Penny Wong, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed that the Australian Government is “appalled” by the decision and that the government will continue to advocate for Hengjun, stating:

The Australian Government has advocated for Dr Yang with China at every opportunity, and at the highest levels. We have consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness and humane treatment for Dr Yang, in accordance with international norms and China’s legal obligations.

She added that Hengjun “has been detained since January 2019 on national security charges. His verdict and sentence have been subject to repeated delays since his closed trial on 27 May 2021.” Chinese authorities charged Hengjun in October 2020 with espionage.

Amnesty International Australia has been advocating for Hengjun’s immediate and unconditional release. It has raised grave concerns for his welfare after awaiting trial in custody for three years. In response to Henjun’s custody length, Amnesty International Australia Campaigner Nikita White stated:

We renew our calls on Chinese authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally unless there is sufficient credible and admissible evidence that he has committed an internationally recognised offence and is granted a fair trial in line with international standards.

The group is now petitioning for the Chinese authorities to quash Hengjun’s death sentence.