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China executes Briton over drugs China executes Briton over drugs
(10 minutes later)
A British man convicted of drug smuggling in China has been executed, the Foreign Office has confirmed.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. Akmal Shaikh, 53, a father-of-five from 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 disappointed", and condemned the execution "in the strongest terms". British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled and disappointed". Mr Shaikh's family thanked those who had tried to help.
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. British diplomatic sources say it is likely he died by lethal injection.
His body will not be repatriated to the UK, but as a Muslim he will be buried within 24 hours.
Mr Shaikh's family said he suffered from bipolar disorder.
They said he had been delusional and duped into a carrying a suitcase that did not belong to him when he was found with 4kg of heroin in Urumqi, north-west China, in September 2007.
In a statement, Mr Brown said: "I condemn the execution of Akmal Shaikh in the strongest terms, and 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."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.""At this time our thoughts are with Mr Shaikh's family and friends and I send them our sincere condolences."
'Inadequate interpretation''Inadequate interpretation'
Foreign Secretary David Miliband also condemned the execution.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. 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, including "mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation" had been ignored.
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 injections class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7377">Send us your comments 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 injections
The legal charity Reprieve had taken up Mr Shaikh's case. The legal charity Reprieve had taken up Mr Shaikh's case for the family.
Katherine O'Shea, the communications director of the charity, said it was "devastated". Through the charity, the family issued a statement thanking all those who tried to help including Reprieve, the Foreign Office, those who attended a vigil outside the Chinese embassy in London, and the organisers of a Facebook group calling for clemency.
They asked for privacy "as they come to terms with what has happened to someone they loved".
Katherine O'Shea, Reprieve's communications director, said it was "devastated" Mr Shaikh had been killed.
"That such a thing can happen in this day and age is really something that should alarm all of us," she said."That such a thing can happen in this day and age is really something that should alarm all of us," she said.
"This guy was a very vulnerable person, extremely ill. He slipped through the cracks of society, and he was frankly failed by China and by their legal system. And it's an absolute disgrace that he should have been killed.""This guy was a very vulnerable person, extremely ill. He slipped through the cracks of society, and he was frankly failed by China and by their legal system. And it's an absolute disgrace that he should have been killed."
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.