Rio Tinto won't confirm Hu trial date

Rio Tinto Ltd has declined to comment on reports that a trial date for detained
executive Stern Hu is about to be set.

ABC radio reported late on Wednesday that a trial date for Mr Hu, the managing
director of Rio Tinto's Shanghai office and a member of its marketing team, could be
set by that evening.
"No comment," a Rio Tinto spokesman told AAP.
Mr Hu was detained on July 5 along with three other members of the mining giant's
marketing team on suspicion of spying and bribery.
They were formally charged on August 12 for industrial espionage-related offences.
The ABC report suggested the trial may take place behind closed doors.
It also said Australian government officials have not been guaranteed entry to the
courtroom.
Although Chinese-born, Hu is considered an Australian national by China, which does
not recognise dual nationality.
Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese told a conference in Perth on Tuesday that
the company wanted "a timely and transparent resolution" to the detentions.