Australia says China is holding detained writer in ‘unacceptable’ conditions

Yang Hengjun, a former Chinese diplomat turned online journalist and blogger, was formally arrested in August on suspicion of espionage, seven months after he was originally detained in the southern city of Guangzhou.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said she was compelled to speak publicly after officials from Australia’s embassy in Beijing recently visited Yang in detention. (AP Photo/File)

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne said on Monday a Chinese-born Australian writer was being held by Beijing in “unacceptable” conditions, including daily interrogations while shackled.