Chinese court sentences US businesswoman accused of spying
HOUSTON — An American woman detained during a business trip to China was convicted of spying and sentenced Tuesday to 3 1/2 years in prison, raising the possibility that she may be allowed to return home soon.
Phan Phan-Gillis has faced an uncertain fate since March 2015, when she disappeared from her group travelling in southern China. She was later accused of espionage, which carries a possible death sentence. A United Nations panel has said her detention violated international norms, and the U.S. has long pressed China to resolve the case fairly.
Her Chinese lawyer Shang Baojun told The Associated Press Wednesday that a deportation order has been issued, and that she should be released “very soon.” He said authorities don’t usually inform the lawyer of the deportation date.
He said he couldn’t give more details about the spying conviction because “it is related to state secrets,” but that the court should release its verdict within five days.