Life Behind Bars of Detained Chinese-Australian Journalist Revealed

Australian journalist Cheng Lei is seen on a television set in Beijing, China, in this still image taken from undated video footage. Australia Global Alumni-Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Handout via Reuters

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.

The Daily Telegraph released its documentary, “Disappeared - The Cheng Lei Story,” on Aug. 24, which revealed the news anchor’s experience in custody.

Cheng, 47, previously worked as an English-language anchor for China Global Television Network (CGTN), the international arm of the Chinese regime’s state broadcaster CCTV.

She was detained in Beijing on Aug. 13, 2020 on suspicion of “illegally spreading state secrets overseas” and was formally arrested in February 2021.

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.

On March 31, Cheng’s case was tried in secret at Beijing’s Second Intermediate Court after 19 months in custody, with the authorities refusing to allow Graham Fletcher, Australia’s ambassador to China, to attend.

“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.

Australian Ambassador to China Graham Fletcher (L) is not allowed entry by court officials and police as he tries to enter the trial of Chinese Australian journalist Cheng Lei at the Beijing Number 2 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing, China, on March 31, 2022. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

In addition, Coyle has accused the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, of lying when he said the journalist had access to her family.

“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.

“Our thoughts today are with Ms Cheng’s family, including her two young children, with whom she has had no contact since she was detained,” Wong said in a statement on Aug. 13.

“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.”