Statement of the Chinese Embassy on the Case of Akmal Shaikh
Akmal Shaikh was convicted for serious drug trafficking. The amount of heroin he brought into China was 4030g, enough to cause 26800 deaths, threatening numerous families. According to the Chinese law, 50g of heroin is the threshold for death penalty. It is important that the independence of the Chinese judiciary be respected.
During the legal process, Mr. Shaikh’s rights and interests were properly respected and guaranteed and the concerns of the British side were duly noted and taken into consideration by the Chinese judicial authorities. Out of humanitarian consideration, visas were granted to the two cousins of Mr. Shaikh on Boxing Day, and they were given access to meeting Mr. Shaikh in China.
As for his possible mental illness which has been much talked about, there apparently has been no previous medical record.
Drug trafficking is a grave crime worldwide. In China, given the bitter memory of history and the current situations, the public has a particular and strong resentment towards it. In a recent web survey, 99% of the public support the decision of the Court.
In China the conditions are not there for abolishing the death penalty. But it is applied in a cautious manner and limited number, all such cases are reviewed by the Supreme Court.
The legal structures of China and UK may be different, but it should not stand in the way of enhancing our bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect.
Given the above explanation, I am at a loss why the Foreign Office did not simply check out the Chinese Embassy website before...
China’s ambassador in London today went to the Foreign Office after being summoned to explain her country’s execution of British citizen Akmal Shaikh.
An official spokesperson Fuk Yu said "What's to explain?".
I was wondering about how Akmal Shaikh ended up in Poland prior to going to China...
Akmal Shaikh: profile
It appears to me that he took a gamble and lost. I would hate to be assessed by a psychiatrist in 15 minutes...
I note that Reprieve has a Help us help Akmal Shaikh Donate now button on its website. As he is past help now I'll save my money...
I did think about the Opium Wars myself...
Why denouncing China is hypocritical
There are good reasons why China is likely to be impervious to lectures from Europeans on the morality of the drugs trade
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
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