Aussie Hu finally decides: No appeal
Source: Agencies/Shanghai Daily |
April 9, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RIO Tinto's former China iron ore head, Stern Hu, would not appeal against his conviction for accepting bribes and stealing commercial secrets, his lawyer said yesterday.
Hu, an Australian citizen, was last month sentenced to 10 years in jail on the charges.
In a brief text message, lawyer Jin Chunqing said Hu told him of his decision in a meeting at the Shanghai Detention House. He did not comment further.
Hu, the manager in charge of Rio Tinto's China iron ore business, and three Chinese co-workers, were detained in July during contentious price negotiations with Chinese steel mills.
The four pleaded guilty to taking bribes from steel mills trying to get preferential access to ore supplies.
They were jailed for between seven and 14 years.
Yesterday was the deadline to appeal against the court's March 29 verdict. Lawyers for Hu's three Chinese co-workers said they would appeal.
"We think the sentence is much too tough," said Tao Wuping, a lawyer for Liu Caikui, who was sentenced to seven years.
Tao told Shanghai Daily that there were many details that can help Liu receive a lighter sentence.
Zhai Jian, lawyer for Ge Minqiang, will appeal. Zhai would not comment further.
Wang Yong, who was sentenced to 14 years, also decided to appeal.
Rio Tinto spokesman David Luff said the company had no comment on Hu's decision not to appeal. The comapny fired all four after the court convicted them following a three-day trial in a Shanghai court.
Australia's foreign ministry said the decision not to appeal was "a matter for Stern Hu and his lawyers."
(Shanghai Daily/AP)
Hu, an Australian citizen, was last month sentenced to 10 years in jail on the charges.
In a brief text message, lawyer Jin Chunqing said Hu told him of his decision in a meeting at the Shanghai Detention House. He did not comment further.
Hu, the manager in charge of Rio Tinto's China iron ore business, and three Chinese co-workers, were detained in July during contentious price negotiations with Chinese steel mills.
The four pleaded guilty to taking bribes from steel mills trying to get preferential access to ore supplies.
They were jailed for between seven and 14 years.
Yesterday was the deadline to appeal against the court's March 29 verdict. Lawyers for Hu's three Chinese co-workers said they would appeal.
"We think the sentence is much too tough," said Tao Wuping, a lawyer for Liu Caikui, who was sentenced to seven years.
Tao told Shanghai Daily that there were many details that can help Liu receive a lighter sentence.
Zhai Jian, lawyer for Ge Minqiang, will appeal. Zhai would not comment further.
Wang Yong, who was sentenced to 14 years, also decided to appeal.
Rio Tinto spokesman David Luff said the company had no comment on Hu's decision not to appeal. The comapny fired all four after the court convicted them following a three-day trial in a Shanghai court.
Australia's foreign ministry said the decision not to appeal was "a matter for Stern Hu and his lawyers."
(Shanghai Daily/AP)
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