New | GSK-linked investigators Peter Humphrey and Yu Yingzeng face secret trial
British corporate investigator and his American wife and business partner detained after GlaxoSmithKline asked them to investigate ex-employee suspected of sending anonymous e-mails
The trial of a British corporate investigator and his American wife and business partner arrested a year ago after they did work for GlaxoSmithKline will be closed to the public, two family friends with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.
The detention of Peter Humphrey and Yu Yingzeng has sent shockwaves through the foreign business community. For years, the community has relied on investigative firms such as the couple’s Shanghai-based company ChinaWhys to better understand the Chinese business environment.
In April last year, GSK employed ChinaWhys to investigate an ex-employee suspected of sending anonymous e-mails, including the circulation of a sex tape of former GSK China head Mark Reilly with his girlfriend, as well as e-mails containing allegations of widespread bribery at the British drugmaker.
Three months later, authorities detained Humphrey and Yu for illegally buying and selling private information. Authorities have not openly made a link between GSK and the case against ChinaWhys.
The couple were subsequently arrested, which typically means the police believe they have enough evidence for the case to be brought to trial. They are being held in Shanghai, but it is not known in which court they will be tried.