AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGES CHINA TO STOP THE EXECUTION OF WO WEIHAN

Amnesty International called on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress in China to pardon 59 year-old medical scientist Wo Weihan. One of his three daughters said: "The execution is not fair. The process was not transparent. The evidence in the verdict was vague and circumstantial, and he was found guilty through a confession that was forced out of him and which he retracted later in court. We can only now appeal to stop any execution and keep my father alive." Sam Zarifi, Asia Pacific Director of Amnesty International, said: "The Chinese authorities should pardon Wo Weihan and stop this execution. Available information suggests that Wo Weihan did not receive a fair trial according to international standards. He was convicted of violating China's vaguely-defined state secrets law. China is entitled to prosecute people for spying but for him to be killed by the Chinese government is cruel and inhumane. We deplore China's continued position as the world's leading executioner."