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Final pleas for death row Briton Final pleas for death row Briton
(30 minutes later)
The government has made a final appeal to China to halt the execution of a British man convicted of drug smuggling who is thought to be mentally ill.The government has made a final appeal to China to halt the execution of a British man convicted of drug smuggling who is thought to be mentally ill.
Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis said the execution would be "entirely inappropriate" after last-ditch talks with the Chinese ambassador in London.Foreign Office minister Ivan Lewis said the execution would be "entirely inappropriate" after last-ditch talks with the Chinese ambassador in London.
Akmal Shaikh, of London, has reportedly been told by his family that he faces death at 1030 (0230 GMT) on Tuesday.Akmal Shaikh, of London, has reportedly been told by his family that he faces death at 1030 (0230 GMT) on Tuesday.
He denied the charges that led to him being found guilty of drug smuggling.He denied the charges that led to him being found guilty of drug smuggling.
The minister said: "The clock is ticking and a man's life is at stake as we speak. We hope that the relationship we have with China will count for something in the end.The minister said: "The clock is ticking and a man's life is at stake as we speak. We hope that the relationship we have with China will count for something in the end.
Last chance
"It's entirely inappropriate that he be put to death, we've made 27 representations over the last two yearsÂ… and even at this late stage I hope they will see that in a modern world it is not appropriate to put a man with mental illness to death."It's entirely inappropriate that he be put to death, we've made 27 representations over the last two yearsÂ… and even at this late stage I hope they will see that in a modern world it is not appropriate to put a man with mental illness to death.
"It cannot be right that there has not been any medical assessment done of Mr Shaikh's mental condition. In any judicial system that simply cannot be acceptable. "It cannot be right that there has not been any medical assessment done of Mr Shaikh's mental condition. In any judicial system that simply cannot be acceptable."
Mr Lewis added: "I believe this meeting tonight was the final opportunity for us to make the strength of our feeling known to the Chinese. I believe we have done everything we possibly can."Mr Lewis added: "I believe this meeting tonight was the final opportunity for us to make the strength of our feeling known to the Chinese. I believe we have done everything we possibly can."
Mr Shaikh, 53, denied all knowledge of 4kg of heroin found on him in the north-western city of Urumqi in 2007.Mr Shaikh, 53, denied all knowledge of 4kg of heroin found on him in the north-western city of Urumqi in 2007.
His family say he is mentally ill. His daughter Leilla Hornsell told the BBC: "I don't think he will be able to really understand what's happening."His family say he is mentally ill. His daughter Leilla Hornsell told the BBC: "I don't think he will be able to really understand what's happening."
Ms Horsnell has said her father was approached by drug smugglers in Poland who convinced him they would make him a pop star in China.Ms Horsnell has said her father was approached by drug smugglers in Poland who convinced him they would make him a pop star in China.
She and her family say her father was duped by a criminal gang into carrying a suitcase that did not belong to him.She and her family say her father was duped by a criminal gang into carrying a suitcase that did not belong to him.
The last-minute nature of this evidence is an example of why there must always be last-minute clemency Clive Stafford SmithDirector, Reprieve Executions shrouded in secrecyThe last-minute nature of this evidence is an example of why there must always be last-minute clemency Clive Stafford SmithDirector, Reprieve Executions shrouded in secrecy
She has spoken out about his mental health problems and his "erratic and extreme" behaviour.She has spoken out about his mental health problems and his "erratic and extreme" behaviour.
"I'd like to be hopeful, but time just seems to be running out," she said."I'd like to be hopeful, but time just seems to be running out," she said.
"It's better for him to be in his own world rather than be faced with the reality of the situation.""It's better for him to be in his own world rather than be faced with the reality of the situation."
Mr Shaikh's final appeal was turned down last week. He is set to become the first EU national to be executed in China in 50 years.Mr Shaikh's final appeal was turned down last week. He is set to become the first EU national to be executed in China in 50 years.
Mr Shaikh's cousins, Soohail and Nasir Shaikh, informed him of his fate as they spent an hour and a half with him on Monday at the secure hospital in Urumqi where he is being held.Mr Shaikh's cousins, Soohail and Nasir Shaikh, informed him of his fate as they spent an hour and a half with him on Monday at the secure hospital in Urumqi where he is being held.
They were the first family members to have face-to-face contact with Mr Shaikh in two years.They were the first family members to have face-to-face contact with Mr Shaikh in two years.
Witness statementsWitness statements
His cousins also handed in a petition to the local court asking for a stay of execution and a made a plea for mercy to Chinese President Hu Jintao.His cousins also handed in a petition to the local court asking for a stay of execution and a made a plea for mercy to Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Legal charity Reprieve has been working on the case with Mr Shaikh's family.Legal charity Reprieve has been working on the case with Mr Shaikh's family.
The organisation said the Foreign Office had done a "huge amount" in the case and had made 10 approaches to the Chinese government in the past six months.The organisation said the Foreign Office had done a "huge amount" in the case and had made 10 approaches to the Chinese government in the past six months.
The charity also released witness statements it said it had collected from people who knew Mr Shaikh while he was living homeless in Poland.The charity also released witness statements it said it had collected from people who knew Mr Shaikh while he was living homeless in Poland.
CHINA DEATH PENALTY China executed 1,718 people in 2008, according to Amnesty InternationalLast year 72% of the world's total executions took place in China, the charity estimatesIt applies to 60 offences, including non-violent crimes such as tax fraud and embezzlementThose sentenced to death are usually shot, but some provinces are introducing lethal injectionsCHINA DEATH PENALTY China executed 1,718 people in 2008, according to Amnesty InternationalLast year 72% of the world's total executions took place in China, the charity estimatesIt applies to 60 offences, including non-violent crimes such as tax fraud and embezzlementThose sentenced to death are usually shot, but some provinces are introducing lethal injections
Reprieve's witnesses all say Mr Shaikh was clearly mentally ill when they knew him, and that he was fixated on recording a song that he believed would usher in world peace.Reprieve's witnesses all say Mr Shaikh was clearly mentally ill when they knew him, and that he was fixated on recording a song that he believed would usher in world peace.
Reprieve's director, Clive Stafford Smith, said: "While it must be torture for Akmal going through this, the last-minute nature of this evidence is an example of why there must always be last-minute clemency."Reprieve's director, Clive Stafford Smith, said: "While it must be torture for Akmal going through this, the last-minute nature of this evidence is an example of why there must always be last-minute clemency."
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London said Mr Shaikh was found with more than 4kg of heroin, which he said was enough to kill 26,800 people.A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in London said Mr Shaikh was found with more than 4kg of heroin, which he said was enough to kill 26,800 people.
"Drug trafficking is a grave crime worldwide," he said. "The general public has a deep-seated hatred toward it.""Drug trafficking is a grave crime worldwide," he said. "The general public has a deep-seated hatred toward it."