Media outlets have revealed the life of Cheng Lei behind bars.
The Chinese-Australian journalist has been detained in Beijing for two years since 2020.
It has been revealed that Cheng spent her first six months in a secret Chinese prison, where she was often handcuffed, blindfolded, and escorted to a monthly 30-minute video conference room with Australian consular officials.
The mother of two is said to be housed in a three-by-three-metre (9.84 feet) cell, where she shares a bed and a toilet with three other female prisoners.
Shocking images have also been released showing Cheng’s condition after her Beijing apartment was raided by authorities and how her partner, Nick Coyle, discovered she was missing.
“This is deeply concerning, unsatisfactory and very regrettable,” Fletcher told reporters at the time.
Her sentencing was initially delayed until July. However, the CCP authorities delayed the verdict again last month, saying that a final decision would not be due before the end of October at the earliest.
“There have been no phone calls, no family visits at all,” Coyle told The Daily Telegraph. “Only consular visits and visits from her Chinese lawyer (at the time of her trial).”
Australian Foreign Minister Penny has raised concerns about Cheng’s safety during the second anniversary of her detention.
“Since Ms. Cheng was detained in August 2020, the Australian government has consistently called for basic standards of justice, procedural fairness, and humane treatment to be met, in accordance with international norms.”
“We will continue to support Ms. Cheng and her family and to advocate for Ms Cheng’s interests and wellbeing.”