Liaoning court hears Canadian's appeal of death sentence

The appeal case involving the Canadian citizen Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was sentenced to death for smuggling more than 222 kilograms of drugs, was publicly heard at the Liaoning Provincial High People's Court on Thursday.

The court said in a statement that it informed the Canadian embassy in China in accordance with the law and it protected the legitimate rights of Schellenberg during the trial. His two lawyers and interpreters joined the hearing.

More than 50 people, including officials from the Canadian embassy in China and deputies to the National People's Congress, attended the case hearing, it added.

The court said the ruling would be announced at a later date.

On Jan 14, Schellenberg received the death penalty for trafficking more than 222 kilograms of methamphetamine by Dalian Intermediate People's Court in Liaoning. His property and assets were seized in line with the judgment.

Schellenberg then appealed to the high people's court. The appeal case was filed on Feb 12.