China’s highest court has reversed the death penalty for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian accused of drug smuggling, as confirmed by a Canadian official to CBC News. The Supreme People’s Court nullified the initial sentence on Friday, with the information source remaining anonymous due to lack of authorization to discuss the issue publicly. The New York Times initially broke the news.
Previously, Schellenberg had been convicted of involvement in an international drug trafficking network and was handed a 15-year prison term in 2018. However, following a retrial in 2019, he was sentenced to death shortly after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a U.S. warrant.
In 2021, a court in Shenyang rejected Schellenberg’s appeal against the death sentence. Anna Marie White, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed optimism about the recent development, anticipating positive outcomes from a potential retrial.
Global Affairs Canada acknowledged a recent decision in Schellenberg’s case but refrained from providing specific comments. The government spokesperson emphasized Canada’s consistent advocacy for clemency in cases involving Canadian citizens facing the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Meng’s arrest had strained relations between Canada and China for years. Subsequent detentions of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on vague national security grounds by Beijing followed Meng’s arrest, though both individuals were eventually released in 2021.
Additionally, four Canadians were executed in China last year for drug-related offenses. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to China aimed at improving ties with Beijing resulted in an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to eliminate certain trade barriers.
Schellenberg stands accused of collaborating with others to transport 222 kilograms of methamphetamine from China to Australia in 2014. Despite maintaining his innocence, the British Columbia native has a criminal record in Canada, including a prior two-year sentence in 2012 for drug trafficking.