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| China executes Briton over drugs | China executes Briton over drugs |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Akmal Shaikh was arrested in 2007A 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. | 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. | 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 condemned the execution "in the strongest terms". | |
| Mr Shaikh is the first EU national to be executed in China in 50 years. | 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, adding: "The UK is completely opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. | |
| "However I also deeply regret the fact that our specific concerns about the individual in this case were not taken into consideration despite repeated calls by the prime minister, ministerial colleagues and me. | |
| "These included mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation during the trial." | |
| Mr Shaikh has denied all knowledge of the 4kg of heroin found in his possession by police in the north-western city of Urumqi in 2007. | |
| His family said he suffered from bipolar disorder and had displayed "extreme and erratic" behaviour. | |
| His daughter Leilla Hornsell has said her father was approached by drug smugglers in Poland, who convinced him they would make him a pop star in China. | |
| She claims he was then duped by the gang into carrying a suitcase that did not belong to him. |