This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/27/china-canada-man-drugs-trial-huawei-tensions
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Canadian man to appear in Chinese court on drug smuggling charges | Canadian man to appear in Chinese court on drug smuggling charges |
(21 days later) | |
A Canadian man is to appear before a court in north-eastern China on Saturday on drugs charges, a government-run news portal said, amid frosty relations between Beijing and Ottawa. | A Canadian man is to appear before a court in north-eastern China on Saturday on drugs charges, a government-run news portal said, amid frosty relations between Beijing and Ottawa. |
The Liaoning people’s high court identified the man as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg. | The Liaoning people’s high court identified the man as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg. |
In a brief statement published on Wednesday, the court said he was appealing against a drug smuggling case at 2pm (0600 GMT) on Saturday but gave no further details. | In a brief statement published on Wednesday, the court said he was appealing against a drug smuggling case at 2pm (0600 GMT) on Saturday but gave no further details. |
A government news portal, runsky.com, said Schellenberg was Canadian and had smuggled an “enormous amount” of drugs. | A government news portal, runsky.com, said Schellenberg was Canadian and had smuggled an “enormous amount” of drugs. |
It mockingly admired the Canadian’s gall for “actually daring to smuggle drugs into China”, which still has the death penalty for drug trafficking. | It mockingly admired the Canadian’s gall for “actually daring to smuggle drugs into China”, which still has the death penalty for drug trafficking. |
The Global Times, which is close to the Chinese authorities, said that under Chinese law, the penalty for smuggling or manufacturing at least a kilo of opium, 50 grams of heroin or methylaniline is 15 years to life in jail, or in extreme cases, the death penalty. | The Global Times, which is close to the Chinese authorities, said that under Chinese law, the penalty for smuggling or manufacturing at least a kilo of opium, 50 grams of heroin or methylaniline is 15 years to life in jail, or in extreme cases, the death penalty. |
It noted that in 2009, China executed the Briton Akmal Shaikh after he was convicted of smuggling four kilos (9lb) of heroin. | It noted that in 2009, China executed the Briton Akmal Shaikh after he was convicted of smuggling four kilos (9lb) of heroin. |
Robert Walker, a Canadian foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement that the ministry had “been following this case for several years and has been providing consular assistance to the Canadian citizen since they were first detained in Liaoning, China”. | Robert Walker, a Canadian foreign ministry spokesman, said in a statement that the ministry had “been following this case for several years and has been providing consular assistance to the Canadian citizen since they were first detained in Liaoning, China”. |
“We will continue to provide consular services to them and their family,” he said. | “We will continue to provide consular services to them and their family,” he said. |
Ties between Beijing and Ottawa have been strained after China detained two Canadians – former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor – whom they accuse of engaging in activities that “endanger China’s security”. | Ties between Beijing and Ottawa have been strained after China detained two Canadians – former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor – whom they accuse of engaging in activities that “endanger China’s security”. |
Huawei arrest may dash Canada's hopes for 'essential' trade deal with China | Huawei arrest may dash Canada's hopes for 'essential' trade deal with China |
Kovrig is a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group thinktank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by the former basketball star Dennis Rodman. | Kovrig is a senior adviser at the International Crisis Group thinktank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by the former basketball star Dennis Rodman. |
Though no link has been officially made, the arrests seem to be in retaliation for Canada’s 1 December arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. | Though no link has been officially made, the arrests seem to be in retaliation for Canada’s 1 December arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei. |
She was detained at the request of the United States, which has accused her of violating sanctions against Iran. | She was detained at the request of the United States, which has accused her of violating sanctions against Iran. |
Another Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China. | Another Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China. |
China | China |
Canada | Canada |
Asia Pacific | Asia Pacific |
Americas | Americas |
news | news |
Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
Share via Email | Share via Email |
Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
Reuse this content | Reuse this content |
Previous version
1
Next version