Australian businessman Stern Hu will not appeal his guilty verdict or 10-year jail term on bribery and espionage charges in China, his lawyer says.
Hu, a mining executive with Rio Tinto, was sentenced to a decade behind bars on March 29 for taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets over sensitive iron ore negotiations.
Hu and three Chinese colleagues were convicted of taking more than 13 million dollars in kickbacks.
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Rio Tinto sacked all four workers following the trial, most of which was held behind closed doors in Shanghai.
Co-defendants to appeal
"After prudent consideration, Stern Hu decided not to appeal. He made the decision after consulting his closest family and friends and us, his lawyers, as well," said one of his attorneys, Jin Chunqing.
His other attorney, Shi Keqiang, confirmed, but declined to give any reason for Hu's decision.
"Both Jin and I met with him today and yesterday. He decided not to appeal," Shi said.
The Australian's three co-defendants have opted to appeal.
