China’s highest court has reversed the death penalty for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian accused of drug smuggling, according to a Canadian official speaking to CBC News. The Supreme People’s Court overturned the initial sentence on Friday, as reported by The New York Times. Schellenberg was initially sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2018 for his involvement in an international drug trafficking ring. However, a retrial in 2019 resulted in a death sentence, shortly after the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou by Canadian authorities 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 development and hoped for positive outcomes in a potential retrial.
Global Affairs Canada confirmed awareness of the decision regarding Schellenberg’s case but refrained from commenting on specifics. The government spokesperson stated that Canada advocates for clemency in such cases involving Canadian nationals facing the death penalty.
Schellenberg’s lawyer was contacted for a response by CBC News. The arrest of Meng strained relations between Canada and China for several years, leading to the detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on unclear national security grounds, although both were released in 2021.
Last year, four Canadians were executed in China for drug-related offenses. Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China recently to improve relations, culminating in an agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to eliminate certain trade barriers.
Schellenberg’s accusations include involvement in a drug smuggling operation from China to Australia in 2014. Despite claiming innocence, the British Columbia native has a history of drug-related offenses in Canada, including a previous sentence for drug trafficking in 2012.