8 August 2005

Alert

IFJ and HKJA call for fair trial in case of Hong Kong journalist accused of spying


Incident details

Ching Cheong

journalist(s)

legal action
(IFJ/HKJA/IFEX) - The following is a 5 August 2005 press release:

World Journalists call for Fair Trial in "Spying Case" of Hong Kong Journalist Ching Cheong

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned over the decision by the Beijing National Security Bureau to formally accuse Hong Kong journalist Ching Cheong of spying.

On Friday August 5, 2005 the Xinhua News Agency announced that the Beijing National Security Bureau formally accused Ching Cheong of spying.

According to Xinhua News Agency, the Beijing National Security Bureau is alleging that Ching admitted to acting as an intelligence gatherer for the Taiwan National Security Bureau from 2000 to March 2005. It is alleged that Ching set up channels between mainland China and Hong Kong, gathering economic and military intelligence and selling it to a Taiwan agent in return for millions of Hong Kong dollars, thus putting the national security of China in jeopardy.

"The decision by the Beijing National Security Bureau to charge Ching Cheong with spying will have chilling affects on the media's coverage of mainland China," said IFJ President Christopher Warren.

The IFJ and its Hong Kong affiliate, the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA), are deeply concerned for Ching Cheong who has been held in custody by mainland Chinese authorities since April 2005.

The IFJ joins the HKJA in their plea for the Chinese authorities to be fair, open and consistent in the rule of law when dealing with Ching Cheong's case. Otherwise the consequences for the actions by the Chinese Government are chilling," said Warren.

In addition, the IFJ and HKJA demand that the Chinese Government respect his civil rights, including the right to access his relatives, legal representation and aid from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries around the world.



Source

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 
Hong Kong Journalists Association
Flat A, 15/F Henfa Commercial Building
348-350 Lockhart Road, Wanchai
Hong Kong
hkja (@) hkja.org.hk
Phone: +852 2591 0692
Fax: +852 2572 7329
 

More on this case

Transfer of Ching Cheong case to state prosecutors increases likelihood he will be charged with spying, says CPJ 6 January 2006 Jailed Hong Kong reporter's case heads to prosecutors 3 January 2006 Detention of journalist Ching Cheong extended 13 December 2005 Journalist Ching Cheong imprisoned without lawyer for six months 24 October 2005 Authorities turn down request for defence lawyer for journalist Ching Cheong 30 August 2005 CPJ calls for immediate release of journalist being held on suspicion of espionage 1 June 2005 Hong Kong reporter detained by Chinese authorities 31 May 2005

China

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