Beijing court sentences famous Chinese journalist Dong to 7 years in prison Yuyu on charges of espionage, his close relative told "Reuters".
Dong, a veteran of state media and former editor of Guangming Daily, was arrested in February 2022 after having lunch with a Japanese diplomat, reports News.bg.
Arrest and charges of espionage
The Japanese diplomat with whom Dong met was also detained for several hours, prompting an outcry from the Japanese foreign ministry. Chinese authorities say the diplomat was involved in "activities inconsistent with his status". Dong was detained in a Beijing prison and tried behind closed doors in July 2023.
Dong was allegedly engaged in espionage, but details of the allegations have not been made public.
International reaction and condemnation
International organizations and freedom of speech activists strongly condemned the sentence. Be Li Yi, Asia Program Manager at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said:
„Working with diplomats is a normal part of the profession of journalists. The charges against Dong Yuyu are inadmissible, and this sentence is a miscarriage of justice.“
Over 700 journalists, academics and activists have signed an online petition demanding Dong's release. The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, where Dong was a visiting fellow in 2007, also expressed support for him.
Career of Dong Yuyu
Dong, 62, graduated from Peking University with a law degree and started working at Guangming Daily in 1987. He is known for his analytical and moderate articles on legal reform and social issues, avoiding direct criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping. In addition to his journalistic activities, he was a visiting professor at Japan's Keio and Hokkaido universities and co-authored a book on the rule of law in China.
Tendency to persecute intellectuals
Dong's sentence is the latest in a series of crackdowns on intellectuals and activists in China. In February, a Beijing court sentenced Australian writer Yan Hengjun to death on a similar espionage charge.
Dong Yuyu's case is a stark example of the growing suppression of freedom of expression and independent journalism in China. The international community continues to closely monitor the development, calling for justice and the journalist's release.