SYDNEY: Australian journalist Cheng Lei was freed from detention and brought back to Melbourne with her two young children after being released by China after more than three years, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement on Wednesday( Oct 11 ).
According to Albanese, Cheng Lei’s young children were desperately needed to be reunited with the American people.
Cheng, a previous CGTN state broadcaster donor from China, had been imprisoned since August 2020.
She was just fully detained months later, and in a case that many believed to be politically motivated, she was later accused of” supplying state secrets abroad.”
The mother of two had frequently appeared on the condition broadcaster’s English-language network, speaking with illustrious CEOs from around the globe.
Cheng, who was born in the county of Hunan, is now an American citizen who immigrated to the nation as a young child. In 2012, he returned to China and started working for the state broadcaster.
China forbids citizens from holding dual citizenship.
Also Australia’s ambassador to China was prevented from entering the court to observe the proceedings as she was tried behind closed doors.
The Australian government had much advocated for her launch and for China to uphold” fundamental principles of justice, administrative fairness, and compassionate treatment.”