Stern Hu: Did not appeal China Rio Tinto verdict

Australian former Rio Tinto executive Stern Hu will not appeal against a 10-year jail term handed down by a Chinese court for accepting bribes and stealing trade secrets, his lawyers said on April 8.

The sentence delivered to Hu by a Shanghai court last week had provoked strong protests from the Australian government, which described the punishment as “harsh” and said there were “serious unanswered questions” about the trial.

But while Hu’s three Chinese co-defendants opted to appeal, Hu’s legal team said the Australian had decided to accept the ruling in the case, which stoked foreign investors’ anxiety about the rule of law in China.

“After prudent consideration, Stern Hu decided not to appeal. He made the decision after consulting his closest family and friends and us, his lawyers, as well,” said one of his attorneys Jin Chunqing

His other attorney, Shi Keqiang, confirmed the move but declined to give any reason for Hu’s decision.

During the three-day trial, the court reportedly heard evidence that millions of yuan in bribes from small Chinese steel mills were stuffed into bags and boxes for the accused.

The judge said the bribes took other forms too – Ge accepted a watch worth more than 19,000 dollars. He said assets worth a combined 6.3 million yuan (USD 920,000) were confiscated from the men.

Lawyers for Wang Yong, Liu Caikui and Ge Minqiang confirmed to AFP that their clients would appeal their jail sentences, which ranged from seven years for Liu to 14 years for Wang.

The Australian foreign ministry in Canberra said it respected Hu’s decision.

“It has been a matter for Stern Hu and his lawyers,” the ministry said in a statement.

“We respect his decision. We will continue to provide Mr Hu with all consular assistance.”