Family of executed Chinese scientist thanks EU for support

(VIENNA) - The daughters of a Chinese scientist executed last week for allegedly spying for Taiwan on Monday thanked the European Union, especially Austria, for trying to save their father's life.

"You raised a strong voice for humanity, for justice and for a better world. We are very proud of Austria and of Europe," said Ran Chen and Di Chen in a letter to top officials, including Austrian President Heinz Fischer and European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner.

"At a time of unmeasurable pain and deepest sorrow, your sympathy and your humanity give us comfort and hope for a better future," the two women, who are Austrian nationals, added.

Wo Weihan, a 59-year-old Chinese medical scientist, was put to death on Friday, provoking condemnation not only from his family but the United States and the European Union as well.

A Chinese citizen who had lived in Austria in the 1990s, he was accused of leaking state secrets to Taiwan and, according to his daughters, of talking about the health of senior Chinese leaders -- an act punishable by death in China.

The case drew worldwide attention, with Fischer and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealing directly to Beijing to spare him.

Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik on Friday called the execution a "premeditated affront" to the European Union by China.

Wo's family complained he had not been given access to legal counsel and that his confession was coerced.

The family added Monday that they had not yet received official notification of Wo's death.