WASHINGTON, May 3, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press
Club and Gil Klein, president of the
National Press Club Journalism Institute on the decision by
China to delay the verdict in the
case of journalist Yuyu Dong.
"We understand from sources that China has again delayed the verdict in the
case of journalist Yuyu Dong, who is being tried on charges of
espionage. The verdict date has now been extend to June 27, 2024.
Dong attended his secret trial in July
2023, which lasted 5 hours but produced no verdict. Since
then the court has repeatedly delayed the verdict dates in
three-month increments without attempting to produce a verdict or
providing an explanation. For the most recent extension, the court
made the decision to delay on March
15, although but the three-month delay period did not begin
until March 27. We do not believe the
dates of this last delay period have been previously reported so we
choose to do so on World Press Freedom Day.
"Mr. Dong has now been detained since late February 2022. This is 2 years and 2 months.
During this time he has not seen or spoken to his family. He has no
visitors other than his lawyers.
"We urge China to
release Yuyu Dong. He has done nothing wrong. There is no case
to be made against him. These charges are meritless."
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading
professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members
representing nearly every major news organization, the Club is a
leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged
global citizenry through an independent and free press and
through programs and trainings. The NPCJI is the non-profit
affiliate of the National Press Club
Contact: Bill McCarren,
202-662-7534 or wmccarren@press.org, for the National Press
Club
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SOURCE National Press Club