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Chinese death row trial 'flawed' Chinese death row trial 'flawed'
(about 3 hours later)
The family of a Chinese man condemned to death for espionage has criticised China's judicial system, saying he did not receive a fair trial.The family of a Chinese man condemned to death for espionage has criticised China's judicial system, saying he did not receive a fair trial.
They claim that the scientist, Wo Weihan, was tortured into admitting that he spied for Taiwan.They claim that the scientist, Wo Weihan, was tortured into admitting that he spied for Taiwan.
Mr Wo was sentenced to death last year. His family say China's Supreme People's Court has now approved the verdict.Mr Wo was sentenced to death last year. His family say China's Supreme People's Court has now approved the verdict.
The sentence is expected to be carried out within days, although the court could not immediately confirm this.The sentence is expected to be carried out within days, although the court could not immediately confirm this.
The 59-year-old, who ran his own medical research company in Beijing, was arrested in early 2005 and charged with espionage.The 59-year-old, who ran his own medical research company in Beijing, was arrested in early 2005 and charged with espionage.
Among other things, he was convicted of passing Chinese military secrets to Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims is part of China. Maybe we'll just get 10 minute - I don't know what to say to him Ran ChenWo Weihan's daughter Among other things, he was convicted of passing Chinese military secrets to Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims is part of China. Maybe we'll just get 10 minutes - I don't know what to say to him Ran ChenWo Weihan's daughter
Mr Wo's family say the whole judicial process, from arrest to conviction, was flawed.Mr Wo's family say the whole judicial process, from arrest to conviction, was flawed.
They say he was denied access to a lawyer for nearly a year after his arrest, and claim he was forced to confess.They say he was denied access to a lawyer for nearly a year after his arrest, and claim he was forced to confess.
His daughter, Ran Chen, said: "There's no information. Until today, I don't know what has happened with my father in the last four years.His daughter, Ran Chen, said: "There's no information. Until today, I don't know what has happened with my father in the last four years.
"The trials are closed from the public. We don't get access. The lawyers cannot talk to us about it. Is that enough to sentence a man to death?""The trials are closed from the public. We don't get access. The lawyers cannot talk to us about it. Is that enough to sentence a man to death?"
Ms Chen, who feels free to speak out because she is now an Austrian citizen, also claimed her father was tortured, although she has no proof.Ms Chen, who feels free to speak out because she is now an Austrian citizen, also claimed her father was tortured, although she has no proof.
PardonedPardoned
The family, unable to visit Mr Wo since his arrest, have now been granted access.The family, unable to visit Mr Wo since his arrest, have now been granted access.
They say they have been told that China's Supreme People's Court has approved the verdict, which leads them to believe Mr Wo is about to be executed.They say they have been told that China's Supreme People's Court has approved the verdict, which leads them to believe Mr Wo is about to be executed.
Available information suggests that Wo Weihan did not receive a fair trial according to international standards Sam ZarifiAmnesty International Ms Chen, who now lives in the United States with her husband, said she has been thinking about what to say to her father when she meets him on Thursday, probably for the last time.Available information suggests that Wo Weihan did not receive a fair trial according to international standards Sam ZarifiAmnesty International Ms Chen, who now lives in the United States with her husband, said she has been thinking about what to say to her father when she meets him on Thursday, probably for the last time.
"Maybe we'll just get 10 minutes. I don't know what to say to him," said the tearful 31-year-old in an interview with the BBC."Maybe we'll just get 10 minutes. I don't know what to say to him," said the tearful 31-year-old in an interview with the BBC.
No one at China's Supreme People's Court could be contacted to comment on the case.No one at China's Supreme People's Court could be contacted to comment on the case.
Sam Zarifi, Asia Pacific director for Amnesty International, said the execution should be stopped and Mr Wo should be pardoned.Sam Zarifi, Asia Pacific director for Amnesty International, said the execution should be stopped and Mr Wo should be pardoned.
"Available information suggests that Wo Weihan did not receive a fair trial according to international standards," he said."Available information suggests that Wo Weihan did not receive a fair trial according to international standards," he said.
According to the human rights group, China executes more people than any other country.According to the human rights group, China executes more people than any other country.
China does not publicly say how many people it executes each year, although that figure is thought to be in the thousands.China does not publicly say how many people it executes each year, although that figure is thought to be in the thousands.