China-born Australian democracy blogger decides against appealing death sentence

Yang Hengjun, left, and his wife Yuan Xiaoliang (Chongyi Feng via AP, File)

A China-born Australian democracy blogger will not appeal his suspended death sentence imposed by a Beijing court, with his family saying on Wednesday a legal challenge would be detrimental to his welfare.

Yang Hengjun was found guilty of espionage following a closed trial and sentenced to death two weeks ago with a two-year reprieve. Such sentences are often commuted to life in prison after two years.