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novembro 23, 2006
High Court urged to acquit Ching Cheong
Via: Reporters Sans Frontieres
As a Beijing appeal court prepares to rule on the case of imprisoned journalist Ching Cheong without holding a single hearing, an analysis by Hong Kong university law professor Johannes Chang of his trial and conviction, highlighting the prosecution’s manipulation and mistakes, was made available to the press and international community today by Reporters Without Borders.
The press freedom organisation urged the High court to overturn Ching’s conviction and release him. A Hong Kong-based correspondent for the Straits Times newspaper, Ching was sentenced by a Beijing court in August to five years in prison for alleged spying.
“We will not accept a decision by the appeal court upholding Ching’s conviction,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Ching is innocent !”
Sources in Beijing say the appeal court will probably issue its ruling tomorrow. Despite the international outcry about his conviction, especially in Hong Kong, the appeal court is expected to confirm it.
Ching’s family addressed a petition on 14 November to Donald Tsang, the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, asking him to intercede on Ching’s behalf with President Hu Jintao. Ching’s health has deteriorated seriously since his arrest during a visit to the Chinese mainland in April 2005.
The detention centre where Ching is believed to be held has been located on Google Earth by Reporters Without Borders (download the software). It is in the Da Hong Men neighbourhood on the south side of Beijing. To see it, download Google Earth location
Publicado por João Carvalho Fernandes às novembro 23, 2006 06:45 PM