Canadian to face drug charges in China court
Amid frosty relations between Beijing and Ottawa
This picture taken on December 20, 2018 shows a moot court in a court museum in Beijing. PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING:
A Canadian is to appear before a court in northeastern China on Saturday for drugs charges, a government-run news portal said, amid frosty relations between Beijing and Ottawa.
The Liaoning People's High Court identified the man as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.
In a brief statement published on Wednesday, the court said he is appealing a drug smuggling case at 2:00pm (0600 GMT) on Saturday but gave no further details.
Ottawa seeks help for release of Canadians held in China
A government news portal, runsky.com, said Schellenberg is Canadian and had smuggled an "enormous amount" of drugs.
China still has the death penalty for drug trafficking.
Canada's foreign ministry did not immediately comment on the matter.
Ties between Beijing and Ottawa have been strained after China detained two Canadians - former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor - whom they accuse of engaging in activities that "endanger China's security".
Kovrig is a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group think tank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by former basketball star Dennis Rodman.
Passenger attempting travel on fake Canadian visa arrested
Though no link has been officially made, the arrests seem to be in retaliation to Canada's December 1 arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
She was detained on request from the United States, which has accused her of violating sanctions of Iran.
Another Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China.
A Canadian is to appear before a court in northeastern China on Saturday for drugs charges, a government-run news portal said, amid frosty relations between Beijing and Ottawa.
The Liaoning People's High Court identified the man as Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.
In a brief statement published on Wednesday, the court said he is appealing a drug smuggling case at 2:00pm (0600 GMT) on Saturday but gave no further details.
Ottawa seeks help for release of Canadians held in China
A government news portal, runsky.com, said Schellenberg is Canadian and had smuggled an "enormous amount" of drugs.
China still has the death penalty for drug trafficking.
Canada's foreign ministry did not immediately comment on the matter.
Ties between Beijing and Ottawa have been strained after China detained two Canadians - former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based businessman Michael Spavor - whom they accuse of engaging in activities that "endanger China's security".
Kovrig is a senior advisor at the International Crisis Group think tank, while Spavor facilitates trips to North Korea, including visits by former basketball star Dennis Rodman.
Passenger attempting travel on fake Canadian visa arrested
Though no link has been officially made, the arrests seem to be in retaliation to Canada's December 1 arrest of Meng Wanzhou, a top executive at Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei.
She was detained on request from the United States, which has accused her of violating sanctions of Iran.
Another Canadian, a woman named Sarah McIver, is also being held pending deportation for working illegally in China.