A Chinese court has given Australian writer Yang Hengjun a suspended death sentence. Here's why he's not appealingThe family of Australian man Yang Hengjun, who was given a suspended death sentence in China earlier this month, has explained why he is not lodging an appeal.
, although that punishment is likely to be commuted to life in prison after two years of good behaviour. Dr Yang had until February 15 to appeal, with that deadline passing late last week.The writer and democracy activist has been imprisoned in China since 2019 on charges of spying, which he has always denied.
Dr Yang told supporters last year that he had a large cyst on his kidney, and that he feared dying in prison because he could not get proper treatment.In their statement, Dr Yang's family and supporters said the "harsh conditions in the detention centre, including enforced sleep deprivation, erratic medication and being strapped to a tiger chair, have destroyed Yang's health" and that launching an appeal would just further delay the prospect of medical relief.
"We will continue to press for Dr Yang's interests and wellbeing, and provide consular assistance to him. The secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also called in China's ambassador Xiao Qian to lodge a diplomatic protest. Dr Feng said despite his ill health and the devastating sentence he's been handed, Dr Yang remained mentally strong.