03/18/2010 Source: People’s Daily

Four members of mineral trader Rio Tinto’s staff, namely Stern Hu, Wang Yong, Ge Minqiang, Liu Caikui, detained last year for stealing commercial secrets and taking bribes, will face trial next Monday, according to documents released by Shanghai No.1 Intermediate People’s Court yesterday.

Zhai Jian, Ge Minqiang’s counsel, confirmed that he and Ge have received the notice of trial.

If found guilty, the four will face a maximum penalty of seven years’ jail and a fine for stealing commercial secrets and more than five years’ jail for bribery, said a lawyer.

Tom Albanese, the CEO and board member of the Rio Tinto Group, will visit Beijing, and attend this year’s China Development Forum, which will be held March 20.

Albanese’s China tour may focus on the company’s relationship with China, said an analyst.

“I believe this case will result in a lawful and just outcome,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said at a press conference in February.

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