Recently a previously charged drug trafficker, Robert Lloyd Schullenburg, was retried for the same crime after being sentenced to 15 years in a Chinese prison. Schullenbergs retrial was because Chinese offiicals found more evidence tying him to the international drug trade. In his retrial the Chinese court system issued the death penalty for his crimes.
Canadian government officials are objecting to this harsh ruling. The Chinese government is requesting respect for their decision because “Everyone is equal under the law”
Schullenburg claims that he was framed by drug traffickers after he was arrested on an airplane. It was unclear as to whether there is any evidence or investigation into his claim.
Due to the fact China has refrained from capital punishment in previous drug trafficking cases it makes their actions seem like retaliation against the detainment of a Chinese citizen in Canada. The United States supposedly is also tied to that arrest.
These cases have created serious tension between China and Canada and China and the U.S.. There are travel advisories in China and Canada advising citizens against traveling between the two countries because of arbitrary arrests. China has also issued advisories against other countries in the Five Eyes Intelligence Pact.
The specific cases of Schullenberg is difficult because of the difference in legal systems. He already had been charged with drug related crimes in Canada. His retrial also seemed rushed and there was very little description of what damning new evidence they found against him all of the sudden. His initial arrest was in 2014, the new evidence found 4ish years later directly after the arrest of one of their own citizens. I personally do not understand the severity of the punishment. I believe all countries involved should attempt to mend relationships as this instance should not disrupt the countries relationships permentantly.