Australian businessman Matthew Radalj was released in 2024 after serving nearly five years in prison in Beijing, where official Chinese records show he was charged with robbery in early 2020. Mr Radalj, who was running an online business selling hoodies and T-shirts in China, said he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. He claims he was arrested while trying to recover his stolen phone and was later tortured into confessing to a crime he did not commit.

During his detention, Mr Radalj described his conditions as harsh, including being held in solitary confinement for 190 days—far exceeding the 15-day maximum allowed under China's Prison Law. He also reported being unable to obtain basic necessities such as soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, underwear, or even a toothbrush for 10 months.

Mr Radalj said he met Australian embassy staff only once during his first 10 months in detention, as COVID-19 lockdowns severely restricted access. He felt abandoned by his country, stating that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), his only lifeline, did little to support his wellbeing, secure basic supplies, or keep his family informed. Internal correspondence obtained through the Freedom of Information Act revealed that the Australian embassy in Beijing considered his complaint to have "no merit" just 10 days after review.

Mr Radalj's case highlights broader concerns about Australia's approach to citizens unjustly detained overseas, especially in countries accused of "hostage diplomacy," arbitrary detentions, and trumped-up charges. He emphasized the need for more proactive and strategic government intervention, saying, "Someone should have gone in and heard his story, checked up on how his family is, how he is physically, all of that."

A DFAT spokesperson responded that after examining Mr Radalj's concerns, the consular assistance provided was consistent with the Consular Services Charter.

Sources