BEIJING: A Chinese court sentenced Chinese-born Swedish citizen Gui Minhai to 10 years in jail for illegally providing intelligence overseas on Monday, the Ningbo Intermediate People’s Court said in a statement on its website.
Gui, a bookseller previously based in Hong Kong who sold books critical of China’s political leadership, was detained by mainland police in 2018. He was seized by plainclothes police while with Swedish diplomats, Reuters reported.
Gui’s situation soured relations between Sweden and China in the months leading up to Monday’s sentencing, with Chinese officials warning Swedish counterparts of meddling in Chinese internal affairs.
Swedish foreign ministry officials, who had demanded his release, have yet to comment.
(With inputs from agencies)
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