China overturns death sentence for Canadian convicted of drug smuggling

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Fan ChenFebruary 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM

AI Summary

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China's Supreme People's Court overturned the death sentence of Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, convicted of drug smuggling in 2014, and ordered a new trial. The announcement, made on Friday, was followed by a statement from China's foreign ministry on Monday asserting the judicial system's independence in the matter. Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the decision and stated they would continue providing consular services to Schellenberg and his family, reiterating Canada's advocacy against the death penalty. The reversal occurs after the execution of four other Canadians in China for drug-related offenses last year and may signal improving relations between the two countries. The case remains ongoing as Schellenberg awaits a new trial.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Lin Jian 60% Global Affairs Canada 60% Chinese foreign ministry 60% Supreme People’s Court 70% Canada ×480% China ×280% Robert Lloyd Schellenberg ×290%

Keywords

death sentence 90% drug smuggling 80% drug trafficking 70% china-canada ties 70% new trial 70% judicial ruling 60% robert lloyd schellenberg 60% consular services 50% clemency 50%