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'Taiwan spy' executed by Beijing | 'Taiwan spy' executed by Beijing |
(about 9 hours later) | |
China has executed a scientist accused of spying for Taiwan. | China has executed a scientist accused of spying for Taiwan. |
Wo Weihan's family had appealed for clemency, saying that the scientist was tortured into admitting that he was a spy. He was sentenced last year. | Wo Weihan's family had appealed for clemency, saying that the scientist was tortured into admitting that he was a spy. He was sentenced last year. |
The 59-year-old man, who ran his own medical research company in Beijing, was arrested in early 2005. | The 59-year-old man, who ran his own medical research company in Beijing, was arrested in early 2005. |
Among other things, he was convicted of passing Chinese military secrets to Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. | Among other things, he was convicted of passing Chinese military secrets to Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. |
Court documents said he spied for an organisation called The Grand Alliance for the Reunification of China under the Three Principles of the People between 1989 and 2003. | Court documents said he spied for an organisation called The Grand Alliance for the Reunification of China under the Three Principles of the People between 1989 and 2003. |
This group is under the auspices of Taiwan's new ruling party, the Kuomintang, according to China. | This group is under the auspices of Taiwan's new ruling party, the Kuomintang, according to China. |
His daughter, Ran Chen, who holds an Austrian passport, said her father's death had been confirmed by the Austrian embassy in Beijing. | His daughter, Ran Chen, who holds an Austrian passport, said her father's death had been confirmed by the Austrian embassy in Beijing. |
Mr Wo's family alleged that he had been denied access to a lawyer for a year. | Mr Wo's family alleged that he had been denied access to a lawyer for a year. |
A spokeswoman for the United States' embassy in Beijing condemned the execution. | A spokeswoman for the United States' embassy in Beijing condemned the execution. |
Susan Stevenson told the AFP news agency that the US was "deeply disturbed and dismayed". | Susan Stevenson told the AFP news agency that the US was "deeply disturbed and dismayed". |
The European Union also voiced its indignation, saying the execution seriously undermined the spirit of trust and mutual respect between the EU and China. | |
The execution will heighten tensions between China and the EU, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels, coming on the same day EU officials raised his case at a meeting on human rights with their Chinese counterparts. | |
Earlier in the week, Beijing postponed its annual summit with the bloc in protest against plans by EU leaders to meet the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. |