China overturns death sentence for Canadian in drug case

China's Supreme People's Court has overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, Global Affairs Canada confirmed, and Ottawa said it will continue to provide consular services to him and his family.

China's Supreme People's Court has overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, Canada confirmed on Friday. Schellenberg was detained on drug charges in 2014 and was retried by a court in northeast China in January 2019. The case drew attention during a period of strained relations after the 2018 arrest in Vancouver of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and the subsequent detention of two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China in January as part of efforts to broaden Canada's export markets and announced an improved bilateral relationship during that trip. Known details: - Global Affairs Canada said it is aware of a decision issued by the Supreme People's Court in Schellenberg's case. - Ottawa said it will continue to provide consular services to Schellenberg and his family. - Canada has publicly advocated for clemency in this case, as it does for Canadians sentenced to the death penalty. - China had previously sentenced Schellenberg to death after judges said a 15-year prison term for drug trafficking was too lenient. - Global Affairs Canada did not comment on whether diplomatic activity during Prime Minister Carney's visit influenced the court decision, citing privacy considerations. Summary: The decision was announced amid recent diplomatic engagement between Ottawa and Beijing and follows a retrial held in 2019. Undetermined at this time.