9 Apr 2010

Former Rio Tinto official won't appeal conviction

2:58 pm on 9 April 2010

Former Rio Tinto official, Australian Stern Hu will not appeal against his 10-year prison term in China.

Hu and three colleagues were found guilty last Monday in Shanghai of accepting bribes.

He was also found to have offered inducements to Chinese steel companies in exchange for their commercial secrets.

Defence lawyer Jin Chunqing has told the ABC that Hu will not be appealing against his conviction. Mr Jin described his client's decision as wise.

However, Hu's three former colleagues - Liu Caikui, Ge Minqiang and Wang Yong - all intend to appeal.

Hu will soon move to the Qingpu Prison on the outskirts of Shanghai to serve his sentence.

The ABC reports he will be eligible to apply for parole in five years.

Hu, the former head of Rio Tinto's Shanghai office, and his three Chinese colleagues were convicted of taking more than $A14 million in kickbacks from Chinese steel companies during tense 2009 iron ore talks.

Rio Tinto sacked the four men following the verdict, lamenting their "deplorable" behaviour.

Rio chief executive Tom Albanese said he was "determined" not to allow the case to "prevent Rio Tinto from continuing to build its important relationship with China".