Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong, jailed in Beijing for five years on espionage charges, filed an appeal yesterday denying he spied for Taiwan.
A legal expert said there were hopes Ching, China correspondent of Singapore's The Straits Times, would get an early release in exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser crime. Ching's wife, Mary Lau Man-yee, confirmed the appeal had been filed. 'We are trying our best to secure his acquittal and early release.'
Ching, who was detained on the mainland in April last year and formally arrested the following August, was sentenced nine days ago.
He was accused of passing state secrets and confidential military information to Taiwan's Foundation on International and Cross-Strait Studies. Beijing alleges the think-tank is a front for Taiwanese intelligence agencies - an allegation denied by the foundation.
It is believed the appeal filing denies Ching knew the think-tank was an espionage body. The court is expected to rule on the appeal in four to six weeks but the process could be extended for a further month because of the complexity of the case.
Chinese law expert Ong Yew-kim said it was unlikely the court would reverse the earlier verdict. The best course of action would be to plead to a lesser crime in exchange for leniency.
'If Ching Cheong pleads [to the lesser charge] rather than spying, which is supported by evidence, the courts could resentence him to three years and he could then go home sooner by seeking medical parole,' he said.