China releases remaining jailed Crown staff

a has freed the remaining jailed Crown Resorts’ employees, including senior Australian executive Jason O’Connor.

The last of the 19 current and former employees of Crown Resorts who were detained in mainland China have now been released. According to media reports, at least 10 employees had already been freed in July from a detention facility in Shanghai.

Jason O’Connor, head of the International VIP programme, was the last of three Australian Crown staff released before 7am on Saturday from Shanghai's number one detention centre, according to officials. He and other defendants have been in detention since 14 October awaiting a sentence.

John Alexander, Executive Chairman of Crown, said in an official statement: “We are very pleased that our employees are being reunited with their families.

“Crown is deeply appreciative of the support provided by our legal counsel over the last few months and thanks the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Australian government for their professionalism and assistance.”

A total of 19 defendants were convicted by a Shanghai court on June 26, based on allegations of organising gambling parties or being engaged in gambling as a main business. Of the group, 16 were fined and sent to prison, with combined fines for the company of nearly $A1.7m (£1m).

Following the arrests in October last year, Crown Resorts began withdrawing its businesses from the Chinese markets. In May, Crown Resorts said it had completed the sale of its remaining stake in Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd for over $900m.