Breaking News: Chinese Authorities Finally Free Australian Journalist Cheng Lei After Three-Year Espionage Detention

Australian TV anchor Cheng Lei has been freed by China, announced Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday, marking the end of her over three-year detention on espionage charges. "We are delighted to confirm the safe return of Australian citizen Ms Cheng Lei to Australia, where she has been joyfully reunited with her family," stated Albanese.

The statement expressed that not only her family and friends, but all Australians, would eagerly embrace her return. Cheng, a mother of two and former business anchor for China's state broadcaster CGTN, was charged with the illegal dissemination of state secrets abroad, an offense that could result in a sentence ranging from five years to life imprisonment.

On the morning of August 13, 2020, Cheng was seized by China's Ministry of State Security while en route to work, as stated by her partner Nick Coyle. The specific accusations against Cheng were not disclosed by Beijing, and the Chinese court postponed the verdict on several occasions.

Her release follows the completion of legal process in China, according to the Australian statement.