China Overturns Death Sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg
China has overturned the death sentence of Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, a Canadian official confirmed on Friday, signaling a potential easing in diplomatic relations as Canadian Prime Minister seeks to enhance trade ties with Beijing.
Schellenberg’s lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, who was contacted in Beijing on Saturday, verified that China’s highest court announced the decision on Friday.
Schellenberg was initially detained on drug-related charges in 2014, prior to the deterioration of China-Canada relations following the 2018 arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer in Vancouver.
The arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou angered Beijing, which subsequently detained two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, on espionage charges that Ottawa condemned as retaliatory actions.
In January 2019, a court in northeast China retried Schellenberg, then 36 years old, and declared that his original 15-year prison sentence for drug trafficking was too lenient.
The court asserted that Schellenberg was a key participant in a narcotics trafficking scheme targeting Australia, conducting the retrial in a single day. Amnesty International criticized the process as
“a flagrant violation of international law.”
Schellenberg has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The Canadian official, who requested anonymity, confirmed the decision by China’s supreme court to overturn the death sentence.
Schellenberg has been held in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian since 2014. Zhang stated that Schellenberg will be retried by the Liaoning High People’s Court, although the date for the retrial has not yet been determined.
Zhang also mentioned that he met with Schellenberg in Dalian on Friday, noting that the Canadian appeared relatively calm.
Diplomatic Context and Canadian Government Response
Prime Minister, who assumed office last year, visited China in January as part of a global initiative to diversify Canada’s export markets and reduce dependence on the United States.
A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Thida Ith, issued a statement acknowledging awareness of the supreme people’s court decision regarding Schellenberg’s case.
“Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is aware of a decision issued by the supreme people’s court of the People’s Republic of China in Mr Robert Schellenberg’s case,”
She added that the ministry
“will continue to provide consular services to Mr Schellenberg and to his family,”and emphasized that
“Canada has advocated for clemency in this case, as it does for all Canadians who are sentenced to the death penalty.”
Key sectors of the Canadian economy have been adversely affected by US President Donald Trump’s policies. Carney has stated that Canada can no longer rely solely on the US as a dependable trading partner.
Despite ongoing tensions, including allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections, Ottawa recognizes the necessity of maintaining a functional relationship with Beijing to protect its economic interests.
During his recent visit to Beijing, Carney met with Chinese officials, including Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, announcing the establishment of a
“new strategic partnership”and a preliminary trade agreement between the two countries.
Global Affairs Canada declined to comment on whether diplomatic efforts during Carney’s visit influenced the Chinese court’s decision in Schellenberg’s case.
“Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be provided,”Ith stated.
Zhang expressed that Carney’s visit raised his hopes for a favorable outcome from the Chinese court regarding his client.
Related Detentions and Releases
Meng Wanzhou, initially charged with scheming to evade US sanctions on Iran—a charge she denied—was released in September 2021.
Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were also released in the same month.
