A British corporate investigator and his US wife, who disappeared into the Chinese judicial system a year ago, will be tried in a closed court next month, a family friend has said.
The news is the latest development in an increasingly sensational affair, involving corruption, a sex tape and a televised confession since Chiense authorities leveled explosive accusations against the British pharmaceuticals group GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) last summer.
The trial of Peter Humphrey and Chinese-born Yu Yingzeng (虞英曾) will be closed to family members and consular officials “on the grounds of privacy,” said the friend, who requested anonymity.
The couple were detained in July last year soon after Chinese authorities accused GSK — one of Humphrey’s clients — of bribing doctors and hospital administrators to sell products.
GSK had employed the couple to investigate e-mails containing allegations of bribery at the company — and a sex tape featuring the then head of GSK China.
“I am very worried that family and consular officials are not allowed to attend my parents’ trial,” the couple’s 19-year-old son, Harvey Humphrey, said on Wednesday after US consular officials visited his mother.
“This does not involve state secrets. It is about two private individuals. I am surprised at this decision since China wants to promote openness and the rule of law, and I hope that they will relent and let me in. I miss my parents, who are not in good health,” he said.
Peter Humphrey, a former reporter, operated the Shanghai-based consultancy ChinaWhys with his wife from 2003, conducting fraud investigations for international companies.
They were detained on suspicion of operating an illicit business and illegally purchasing private information on Chinese citizens. Chinese authorities have not announced any connection between the GSK investigation and their case.
The charge of operating an illicit business has been dropped, according to the friend.
London-based Fair Trials International expressed concern over the closed hearing.
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