21.03.2025 15:30
The Chinese government has decided to execute four Canadian citizens on charges of drug trafficking. Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that the executed individuals held dual citizenship. Experts believe that these executions may be linked to the political tensions between China, Canada, and the United States that have been ongoing since 2018.
The Chinese government executed four Canadian citizens earlier this year on drug trafficking charges. In a statement by Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, it was noted that the executed individuals held dual citizenship (Canada-China).
During a press conference, Joly stated, "Four of our Canadian citizens have been executed, and we strongly condemn this situation." She also emphasized that all executions were related to drug offenses.
The ministry also announced that another Canadian citizen, Robert Schellenberg, who was sentenced to death for drug trafficking in 2019, has temporarily escaped execution. Schellenberg has consistently claimed his innocence and stated that he came to China only as a "tourist."
Experts believe that these sentences may be linked to the political tensions between China, Canada, and the United States that have been ongoing since 2018. The tension began with the arrest of Huawei's senior executive Meng Wanzhou in Canada in 2018. Shortly after this incident, China retaliated by arresting two Canadians. Meng and the arrested Canadians were released in 2021.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that her country acted "in accordance with the law" and that "the fight against drug crimes is the responsibility of all countries." Mao also said, "China is a country that adheres to the rule of law and treats defendants of different nationalities equally without discrimination."
According to human rights organizations, China executes thousands of people each year but keeps execution statistics as a state secret.
Tensions between countries continue. Recently, China imposed new tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products worth $2.6 billion in retaliation for the tariffs Canada imposed on Chinese products last year.