Canadian Robert Lloyd Shellenberg risking death sentence in China is latest foreigner to fall foul of country’s harsh drug laws
- A ‘mentally ill’ Briton and a former journalist from Colombia are among those known to have been executed for smuggling
Saturday’s appeal hearing for a Canadian man convicted of drug smuggling in China has attracted particular attention because of the recent diplomatic row between Beijing and Ottawa.
The dispute flared after Canada arrested Huawei executive Sabrina Meng Wanzhou on the back of a US arrest warrant and China subsequently detained two Canadian citizens on charges of endangering national security. But Robert Lloyd Schellenberg’s case long predates that dispute.
Shellenberg, whose case has been followed by Canadian diplomats for “several years”, was reported by state media to have been convicted of smuggling “an enormous amount of drugs” into China – a country known for its harsh drugs laws.
Under Chinese law, anyone convicted of smuggling, selling, transporting or producing more than 1kg (2.2lbs) of opium, or 50 grams (1.7 ounces) of methamphetamine or heroin, or a large amount of other drugs, can be sentenced to death.
China is the world’s biggest executioner and its judicial system has long attracted international criticism. However, it is unclear exactly how many foreign nationals have been sentenced to death in the country.