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China condemns Canada's remark on Schellenberg sentencing
Updated 12:32, 11-Aug-2021
CGTN

The Chinese Embassy in Canada on Tuesday expressed stern condemnation after Canada's foreign minister criticized the sentencing of Canadian drug smuggler Robert Schellenberg in a Chinese court.

The embassy said the remark made by Marc Garneau, who in a statement called the verdict a "cruel and inhumane punishment" and arbitrary sentence, has seriously violated China's judicial sovereignty and violated the spirit of the rule of law.

Calling Garneau's statement unwarranted, the spokesperson of the embassy stressed that China will never allow any drug smuggler from any country to put the lives of Chinese people in jeopardy.

"The rule of law is no game," the spokesperson said, calling on the Canadian side to earnestly respect China's judicial sovereignty, exercise caution in its words and deeds, and stop making irresponsible remarks. "Otherwise, the Canadian side will only humiliate itself in the end." 

The spokesperson stressed that the Canadian statement is totally against rule of law. 

Article 347 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China clearly stipulates those who smuggle, traffic, transport or manufacture heroin or methamphetamine with a quantity of more than 50 grams shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 15 years, life imprisonment or death. 

The Liaoning High People's Court reviewed Schellenberg's appeal in strict accordance with law, held a public hearing, and concluded that the defendant was involved in organized international drug trafficking and conspired with others to smuggle a huge quantity, of 222.035 kg, of methamphetamine, which constituted drug smuggling. 

The court said on Tuesday that it rejected Schellenberg's appeal because the facts identified in the first trial were clear, the evidence was true and sufficient, the conviction was accurate, and the sentence was appropriate. 

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Canadian defendant Robert Lloyd Schellenberg during his trial at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, January 14, 2019. /Xinhua

Canadian defendant Robert Lloyd Schellenberg during his trial at the Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Dalian, northeast China's Liaoning Province, January 14, 2019. /Xinhua

The Chinese judicial authorities have been handling the case in strict accordance with law, the spokesperson said, adding that the Canadian side is not at all qualified to point fingers at this. 

The spokesperson also called the Canadian statement unfair, saying the merit of rule of law lies in the equality of all people before the law. 

"On one hand, Canada keeps preaching it is a country under rule of law and advocates the so-called 'independence of justice.' On the other hand, some Canadian politicians and media keep attacking China's judicial system, and they are making unwarranted accusations on the ruling on Schellenberg's case. How ridiculous and hypocritical!" 

China is a friendly country and one under the rule of law as well, the spokesperson reiterated, adding that China will never allow anyone to have the privilege of transcending the law and whoever commits a crime in China will be punished.  

"What matters is whether one abides by the law or not, and it has nothing to do with his or her nationality," said the spokesperson. 

The spokesperson also said the Canadian statement is totally unreasonable, pointing out that drug crimes are serious crimes, which bring great harm to the physical and mental health, lives and families of the public, especially those of the juvenile. 

Noting drug crimes are currently rampant around the world, the spokesperson said both the international society and Chinese public call for cracking down on drug crimes and punishing the concerned criminals severely.

The Chinese Embassy added Canada is also the victim of drug trafficking. According to the relevant report, from January 2016 to June 2020, over 17,000 Canadians died of opioid drugs.  

"The Canadian side is seeking 'clemency' or 'immunity' for the drug trafficker. If granted, how is justice brought to society? How are the legitimate rights and interests of those Chinese and their families who are victims of the drugs protected?"

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