CURRENT CASES
YANG HENGJUN
Dr Yang Hengjun, an Australian writer and academic, was detained in China in August 2019. Accused of espionage, his arrest garnered international attention, particularly against the backdrop of strained China-Australia relations.
Despite widespread calls for clarity and fair legal treatment, China has provided little detail about the nature of Dr Yang’s charges.
Dr Yang is believed to be suffering from kidney cancer, and authorities hold grave concerns for this welfare in prison.
In February 2024 Yang Hengjun was given a two-year suspended death sentence.
ROBERT PETHER
Robert Pether, an Australian engineer, was arrested in Iraq in April 2021 while on a business trip related to a project with the Central Bank of Iraq. His detention, which occurred amidst a contractual dispute, drew significant concern from the international community.
Advocates and family members have raised issues regarding his well-being and the transparency of legal proceedings, underlining the complexities and risks associated with international business endeavors in volatile regions.
gordon ng
Gordon Ng is a Hong Kong-based pro-democracy advocate and member of the so-called ‘Hong Kong 47’ group of activists. Arrested in 2021, Ng was convicted in 2024 under Hong Kong’s controversial National Security Law. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
In spite of the fact that Ng holds Australian citizenship, he has been denied consular assistance in prison by the Hong Kong authorities.
others
There are other Australian citizens who are currently victims of wrongful detention abroad whose cases have not been reported on publicly.