China overturns death sentence for Canadian convicted of drug smuggling

SCMP | Feb. 9, 2026, 6 a.m. | Original

Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, pictured during his 2019 retrial on drug trafficking charges in Dalian, Liaoning province, is to stand trial again following the ruling by China’s highest court on Friday. Photo: Handout via AFP

In a sign of warming China-Canada ties , Beijing has reversed a Canadian citizen’s death sentence and ordered a new trial, calling the judicial ruling “independent”.
The Supreme People’s Court , China’s highest judicial organ, on Friday overturned a death sentence against Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, who was detained in 2014 on suspicion of drug trafficking.

Addressing the ruling during a press conference on Monday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that judicial authorities “independently adjudicated” the case and “rendered a verdict in accordance with the law”.

Canada’s foreign ministry, known as Global Affairs Canada, said it was “aware of a decision” by the Chinese supreme court and that it would continue to provide consular services to Schellenberg and his family, without disclosing further details.

“Canada has advocated for clemency in this case, as it does for all Canadians who are sentenced to the death penalty,” the statement read, according to AFP.

The overturning came months after four Canadian citizens were executed for drug-related crimes, as disclosed by Canada’s foreign minister in March last year.

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