China’s Supreme People’s Court has overturned the death sentence of Canadian national Robert Schellenberg, who was convicted on drug smuggling charges, in a decision that may signal improving diplomatic ties between Beijing and Ottawa.
Schellenberg was arrested in China in 2014 and sentenced in 2018 to 15 years in prison. But in a retrial in January 2019, his sentence was suddenly upgraded to death — a move that drew sharp criticism from Canada and came right as tensions were escalating following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver on a U.S. warrant.
According to Schellenberg’s Beijing-based lawyer Zhang Dongshuo, the Supreme People’s Court ruled last week against the death penalty and sent the case back to the Liaoning Provincial High People’s Court for retrial. While the ruling removes the immediate threat of execution, Zhang said the chances of a full acquittal are still pretty low given how serious the charges are.
The decision comes less than a month after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrapped up a four-day visit to China, during which both sides publicly talked up improving bilateral relations after years of strain. Zhang said the timing strongly suggests that the diplomatic engagement played a role in the court’s decision.
Canada’s foreign ministry said it was aware of the ruling and would continue to provide consular assistance. China’s foreign ministry maintained that the judiciary handled the case independently and in accordance with the law.
This development follows a broader thaw in relations, including recent agreements to reduce tariffs on electric vehicles and canola, reversing earlier trade measures that had deepened tensions between the two countries.
