3 January 2006

Alert

Jailed Hong Kong reporter's case heads to prosecutors


Incident details

Ching Cheong

journalist(s)

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a 28 December 2005 CPJ press release:

In China, Hong Kong reporter's case heads to prosecutors

New York, December 28, 2005 - The Committee to Protect Journalists is disturbed that a criminal case against veteran Hong Kong reporter Ching Cheong could be handed over to prosecutors in mainland China by the end of next week.

Ching, a correspondent for the Singapore-based daily The Straits Times, was detained in the mainland on April 22 and has been held without trial or access to a lawyer on suspicion of spying for Taiwan. His wife, Mary Lau, has said that he was detained while seeking transcripts of interviews with ousted former leader Zhao Ziyang, who died in January following 15 years of house arrest.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang told reporters today that he had discussed the case during meetings with Chinese leaders this week. "I understand that the matter is being actively looked into and the case will be referred to the prosecution department before January 6," Tsang was quoted as saying in international news reports.

"Authorities have never brought forward any evidence of wrongdoing by Ching or allowed him access to a lawyer, yet the prospect that he may face charges looks increasingly likely," CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper said. "We join our colleagues in Hong Kong and around the world who believe that Ching is being held unjustly and we call for his release."

CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.cpj.org



Source:

Committee to Protect Journalists
330 7th Ave., 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
USA
info (@) cpj.org
Phone: +1 212 465 1004
Fax: +1 212 465 9568
 

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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 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 IFJ and HKJA call for fair trial in case of Hong Kong journalist accused of spying 8 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

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