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British GSK investigator on trial in China | British GSK investigator on trial in China |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A British investigator and his wife are being tried in China for illegally trafficking personal data. | |
Peter Humphrey and his American wife Yu Yingzeng were arrested in August 2013. | Peter Humphrey and his American wife Yu Yingzeng were arrested in August 2013. |
They are accused of illegally obtaining Chinese citizens' personal information and selling it to China-based multinational corporations, including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) China. | They are accused of illegally obtaining Chinese citizens' personal information and selling it to China-based multinational corporations, including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) China. |
GSK China, which is being investigated for possible bribery, hired Mr Humphrey last year. | GSK China, which is being investigated for possible bribery, hired Mr Humphrey last year. |
The trial is taking place at the Number One Intermediate Court in Shanghai. Information about proceedings is being released on its official microblog. | |
"Generally speaking... I don't dispute (the prosecutor's indictment)," the official microblog quoted Mr Humphrey as telling the court. | |
Ahead of the trial Mr Humphrey, a former journalist, and his wife have been held at a detention centre in Shanghai. His son, Harry Humphrey, told the BBC last week that his parents appeared well. | |
GSK probe | GSK probe |
Prosecutors, state media report, say the couple on trial "illegally trafficked a huge amount of personal information on Chinese citizens". | Prosecutors, state media report, say the couple on trial "illegally trafficked a huge amount of personal information on Chinese citizens". |
They obtained this information by "secret photography, infiltration or tailing after someone". | They obtained this information by "secret photography, infiltration or tailing after someone". |
Chinese authorities have not made an explicit link between this case and the GSK probe. | Chinese authorities have not made an explicit link between this case and the GSK probe. |
The arrest of Mr Humphrey and his wife came weeks after he delivered an investigation report to GSK. | The arrest of Mr Humphrey and his wife came weeks after he delivered an investigation report to GSK. |
In January 2013, an email was sent to GSK's London-based CEO Andrew Witty containing a sex tape of GSK China's general manager Mark Reilly and his girlfriend. | In January 2013, an email was sent to GSK's London-based CEO Andrew Witty containing a sex tape of GSK China's general manager Mark Reilly and his girlfriend. |
The email accused Mr Reilly of being behind systematic corruption in the company's China operation. | The email accused Mr Reilly of being behind systematic corruption in the company's China operation. |
Mr Humphrey's corporate investigations company, ChinaWhys, was asked to find out who had sent the email and how the video had been filmed. | Mr Humphrey's corporate investigations company, ChinaWhys, was asked to find out who had sent the email and how the video had been filmed. |
GSK suspected a former senior staff member, said to have top-level political connections, who has denied being the whistleblower. | |
In June, ChinaWhys delivered its report. Chinese authorities shortly afterwards opened a bribery investigation into GSK and then arrested Mr Humphrey and his wife. | In June, ChinaWhys delivered its report. Chinese authorities shortly afterwards opened a bribery investigation into GSK and then arrested Mr Humphrey and his wife. |
How case unfolded: | How case unfolded: |
GSK China remains embroiled in controversy over alleged systematic bribery of doctors. | GSK China remains embroiled in controversy over alleged systematic bribery of doctors. |
Mr Reilly is currently being investigated by Chinese authorities, as are at least two other senior GSK China executives. | Mr Reilly is currently being investigated by Chinese authorities, as are at least two other senior GSK China executives. |
He is alleged to have pressed his sales team to bribe doctors, hospital officials and health institutions to increase sales of GSK products. | He is alleged to have pressed his sales team to bribe doctors, hospital officials and health institutions to increase sales of GSK products. |
He is currently effectively detained in China and has made no recent comment. | He is currently effectively detained in China and has made no recent comment. |
GSK has described the allegations as "deeply concerning", saying it is "learning lessons from this situation" and is "determined to take all actions necessary as a result". | GSK has described the allegations as "deeply concerning", saying it is "learning lessons from this situation" and is "determined to take all actions necessary as a result". |