British man said to be mentally ill executed in China

December 28, 2009 Politics No Comments

A British man convicted of drug smuggling in China has been executed, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Akmal Shaikh, 53, of London, had denied any wrongdoing and his family said he was mentally ill.

The execution took place despite repeated calls from his family and the British government for clemency.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was “appalled and disappointed”, and condemned the execution “in the strongest terms”.

Mr Shaikh is the first EU national to be executed in China in 50 years.

In a statement, Mr Brown said: “I am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted.

“I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken.

“At this time our thoughts are with Mr Shaikh’s family and friends and I send them our sincere condolences.”

‘Inadequate interpretation’

Foreign Secretary David Miliband also condemned the execution.

He said the UK was opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances, but also “deeply regretted” that his specific concerns in this case – over mental health issues and interpretation during the trial – had been ignored.
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Final pleas for life of Briton on death row in China

December 28, 2009 Politics No Comments

The UK government has made a final appeal to China to halt the execution of a 53-year-old British man who is thought to be mentally ill.

Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis said the execution would be “entirely inappropriate” after the talks.

Akmal Shaikh, of London, was reportedly told by his family that he faced death at 1030 (0230 GMT). It is not yet known if the sentence has been carried out.

He was convicted of drug smuggling, but has denied any wrongdoing.

The BBC understands that if the execution has gone ahead, the Chinese authorities will inform the British authorities at a senior level, and the British authorities will first let Mr Shaikh’s family know and then the media.

Just before the execution deadline, Mr Shaikh’s two cousins who visited him on Monday issued a statement at Beijing Airport repeating calls for leniency because of his mental state.

But at the same time an official statement from the Xinhua news agency reiterated a Supreme Court ruling that the evidence that Mr Shaikh suffers from mental illness was “insufficient”.
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