China starts spy trialUPI China starts spy trial BEIJING, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- A U.S.-based Chinese dissident went on trial Monday in Beijing on spying charges, Voice of America reported. Yang Jianli was detained in April 2002 while traveling in northeast China while trying to observe labor unrest. China accuses him of spying for Taiwan and entering the country illegally on a false passport. An espionage conviction could bring the death penalty but his lawyer says that is not likely. Yang pleaded not guilty to both charges during his three-hour trial, which was closed to the press, public, his family and all but one of his lawyers. A verdict is expected in about six weeks. The 40-year-old holds doctorate degrees from two U.S. universities and runs a foundation that tries to promote democracy in China. Back in the 1980s, he traveled to the United States and became a permanent resident, a step toward becoming a U.S. citizen. He was blacklisted by China in 1989 for supporting pro-democracy demonstrations.
-------------------------- |