The writer Yang Hengjun arrested for "espionage"

Yang, now an Australian citizen, had previously worked in the Chinese foreign ministry. He was arrested last January, and is being held in an unknown place. Canberra states that he is kept in "harsh conditions". Very well known on Chinese social networks, where he has at least 130,000 followers. This is "political persecution", perhaps linked to his democracy activism.

Sydney (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Chinese-Australian writer Yang Hengjun has been arrested for "espionage" Australian foreign minister, Marise Payne, revealed today expressing concerns about his health, given that Yang is kept in "harsh conditions".

Yang, born in China, was part of the staff of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing. He later became an Australian citizen. Last January, after being in New York, he returned via Guangzhou and there he was stopped by the police and taken to an unknown location.

At that time the charges were for "criminal activities dangerous to national security". The Australian government has repeatedly asked about the allegations and his detention, but has never received a response. China has also rejected the consular services of Canberra.

Despite having lived for almost 10 years outside China, Yang, who has also become a novelist, has always maintained a blog on China's current affairs, always supporting democratic positions even on Chinese social networks, where he has at least 130,000 supporters (followers). According to Prof. Feng Chongyi, an academic at the University of Technology in Sydney and a friend of Yang, this is "political persecution perhaps linked to his democracy activism.