China overturns death sentence of Canadian amid diplomatic thaw

China's highest court has overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg and ordered a retrial; his lawyer and a Canadian official confirmed the decision, and the Liaoning high people's court will handle the retrial with timing not yet set.

China's highest court has overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, his lawyer and a Canadian official said. Schellenberg was first detained on drug charges in 2014 and was retried and sentenced to death in 2019. The case has been discussed in the context of tensions in Canada–China relations since 2018. Canadian officials said they will continue to provide consular services; they did not say whether recent diplomatic contacts affected the court decision. Known details: - China's supreme people's court announced the overturning of Schellenberg's death sentence, as confirmed by his lawyer Zhang Dongshuo and a Canadian official. - Schellenberg remains detained in Dalian; his lawyer said he was visited and that a retrial will be held by the Liaoning high people's court, with no date yet set. - Global Affairs Canada stated it is aware of the decision and will continue to provide consular services, and noted Canada has advocated for clemency in death-penalty cases. Summary: China's supreme people's court overturned the death sentence and ordered a retrial in Robert Schellenberg's long-running legal case. Schellenberg remains in custody in Dalian and will face a retrial at the Liaoning high people's court; the timing of that retrial is undetermined at this time. Global Affairs Canada has said it will continue consular support for Schellenberg and his family.