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China to try UK private investigator working for GSK 'in a closed trial' China to try UK private investigator working for GSK 'in a closed trial'
(about 5 hours later)
China plans to try a British private investigator and his American wife, who both disappeared into the Chinese judicial system a year ago, in a closed trial next month, a family friend has told the Guardian. A British corporate investigator and his American wife, who both disappeared into the Chinese judicial system a year ago, will be tried in a closed court next month, a family friend has told the Guardian.
The trial of Peter Humphrey and his wife, the Chinese-born American Yu Yingzeng, will be closed to family members and consular officials "on the grounds of privacy," according to the friend, who requested anonymity. The news marks the latest development in an increasingly sensational affair involving corruption, a sex tape and a televised confession, which has cast a shadow over the country's foreign business community since local authorities levelled a series of explosive accusations against the British pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) last summer.
The couple were detained last summer soon after Chinese authorities accused the British drug firm GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) – one of Humphrey's clients – of bribing a vast network of doctors and hospital administrators to sell its products. The trial of Peter Humphrey and his wife – the Chinese-born American Yu Yingzen – will be closed to family members and consular officials "on the grounds of privacy", said the friend, who requested anonymity because of the case's sensitivity.
"I am very worried that family and consular officials are not allowed to attend my parents' trial," the couple's son Harvey Humphrey said in a statement after a consular visit on Wednesday. "This does not involve state secrets. This does not involve national security. It is about two private individuals, my parents. The couple were detained last July soon after Chinese authorities accused GSK – one of Humphrey's clients – of bribing a vast network of doctors and hospital administrators to sell its products.
The couple had been employed three months earlier by the drug firm to investigate emails which contained allegations of widespread bribery at the company - and a sex tape featuring the then-head of GSK China.
"I am very worried that family and consular officials are not allowed to attend my parents' trial," the couple's 19 year-old son, Harvey Humphrey, said on Wednesday after US consular officials visited his mother. "This does not involve state secrets. This does not involve national security. It is about two private individuals, my parents.
"I am surprised at this decision since China wants to promote openness and the rule of law, and I hope that they will relent and let me in. I haven't seen them for a year. I am shocked and upset. I miss my parents, who are not in good health.""I am surprised at this decision since China wants to promote openness and the rule of law, and I hope that they will relent and let me in. I haven't seen them for a year. I am shocked and upset. I miss my parents, who are not in good health."
The trial date, originally planned for 29 July, has been rescheduled to 7 August, Humphrey said. The trial date has been pushed back from 29 July to 7 August, Humphrey said.
Peter Humphrey, a former Reuters reporter, had operated the Shanghai-based risk consultancy ChinaWhys with his wife since 2003. They were detained last July on suspicion of operating an illicit business and illegally purchasing private information on Chinese citizens. Peter Humphrey, a former reporter, had operated the Shanghai-based firm consultancy ChinaWhys with his wife since 2003, conducting fraud investigations and risk management services for international companies. According to the company's website, Humphrey spent two decades as a Reuters journalist in Asia, eastern Europe and the Balkans before becoming a "risk management specialist and corporate detective"; Yu had served as "a high-level advisory consultant in China."
They were detained on suspicion of operating an illicit business and illegally purchasing private information on Chinese citizens. Chinese authorities have not publicly announced any connection between the GSK investigation and their case.
The charge of operating an illicit business has been dropped, according to the friend.The charge of operating an illicit business has been dropped, according to the friend.
In September, the couple were paraded on Chinese state television wearing handcuffs and orange prison vests. Humphrey "confessed" to the crime and apologised to the Chinese government. While televised confessions are common for Chinese businesspeople and officials, they are vanishingly rare for foreigners. In September, the couple were paraded on Chinese state television wearing handcuffs and orange prison vests. "The way we acquired information was sometimes illegal," Humphrey said in Mandarin. "I feel very regretful about it and want to apologise to the Chinese government." While televised confessions are common for disgraced Chinese officials, they are vanishingly rare for foreigners.
Revelations surfaced earlier this week that in March 2013, 13 GSK executives – including its CEO, Andrew Witty – received a video of the company's then-China boss Mark Reilly having sex with his girlfriend in his Shanghai apartment. GSK considered the video a security breach, and Reilly hired Humphrey's firm to trace its origin. In March 2013, a video showing GSK's then-China boss Mark Reilly having sex with his Chinese girlfriend in his Shanghai flat was sent to 13 GSK executives, including its CEO Andrew Witty, the Sunday Times reported early this week. It's still unclear who shot the video, and why. GSK considered the video a security breach, and Reilly hired Humphrey's firm to trace its origin.
Reilly is accused by Chinese authorities of running "a massive bribery network" and faces a possible jail sentence. GSK did not tell Humphrey about the bribery allegations until two months later, according to the Sunday Times. GSK did not tell Humphrey about the bribery allegations until two months later, the newspaper reported.
Reilly left China last June after Chinese authorities raided GSK offices in Shanghai, but returned in October to aid the investigation. He has been barred from leaving China, and his whereabouts are unknown. Last month, Chinese authorities formally accused Reilly of running "a massive bribery network," implying that he could face jail time. He had left China last June after Chinese authorities raided GSK offices in Shanghai, but returned in October to aid in the investigation. Reilly has been barred from leaving the country, and his whereabouts are unknown.
GSK said in a statement this week that the investigation by the Chinese authorities of the bribery allegations is ongoing and that it was cooperating fully with it. GSK said in a statement this week that it is cooperating fully with the Chinese authorities' investigation into the bribery allegations, which is ongoing.