China Imposes Seven-Year Prison Sentence on Journalist for Espionage
A Chinese court has sentenced journalist Dong Yuyu to seven years in prison on charges of espionage, a decision his family has described as a “grave injustice.”
They expressed concern that the conviction implies that Chinese citizens could be subjected to such accusations based merely on diplomatic engagements, which could have a chilling effect on free speech and international relations.
Meanwhile, the family also emphasized that the case represents a broader attack on Chinese journalists and anyone seeking to engage in open, diplomatic communication with the outside world as the verdict has sparked global outrage, with over 700 journalists, academics, and NGO workers signing a petition calling for Dong’s release. Press freedom organizations have condemned the sentence, arguing that it reflects a broader crackdown on free expression in China.
