SHANGHAI—Chinese authorities have released from prison Yu
Yingzeng, a U.S. citizen convicted last year of crimes related to
handling private information about Chinese citizens, a family
friend said Thursday.
Ms. Yu left prison Tuesday, the same day as her husband, Peter
Humphrey, a British national convicted last year on similar
charges, the person said. The release came about a month before the
end of her official sentence.
The family was notified indirectly of Ms. Yu's release by U.S.
authorities within the past day, the friend said. The U.S. Embassy
declined to comment.
Asked about Mr. Humphrey on Thursday, a spokesman for the
British consulate in Shanghai said in a statement: "We have been
notified by the Chinese authorities that arrangements are being put
in place for the deportation of a British national detained in
China. We are providing consular assistance to the family."
The couple's son in the U.K. hasn't been able to speak directly
with his parents since their release and isn't clear where they
are, the friend said. Mr. Humphrey was in a hospital earlier this
week and has undergone testing for cancer, the person said.
Their case was connected to a high-profile scandal involving
drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC. Glaxo said last July it had hired
Mr. Humphrey to investigate the origin of a sex video taken
secretly in the bedroom of the company's top China executive. A
whistleblower whose identity was unknown sent the video along with
allegations of bribery to his superiors in London, the company
said.
Just as the couple's investigation was wrapping up in June 2013,
Chinese police publicly alleged Glaxo employees engaged in a
pattern of bribery. Days later, police detained Mr. Humphrey and
Ms. Yu.
During a one-day trial about a year later, Mr. Humphrey and Ms.
Yu admitted guilt and were ordered to serve two-and-one-half years
and two years, respectively. They were credited with time already
spent in prison.
Mr. Humphrey's release comes about seven months earlier than
schedule. Under terms of their conviction, Mr. Humphrey will be
deported from China while Ms. Yu, who was born in the country,
would be permitted to remain.
Write to James T. Areddy at james.areddy@wsj.com
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