Akmal Shaikh, 53, was convicted of smuggling 4 kgs of heroin following his arrest in Urumqi, north west China, in September 2007. Pleas for clemency and a last minute reprieve failed. Mr Shaikh had been suffering from mental illness for some time prior to his ill-fated trip to China, where it is believed he was duped into being a drug mule.
Akmal Shaikh, 53, was put to death yesterday after losing a final appeal last week against his conviction for smuggling heroin.
Relatives and British Embassy officials had pleaded with the Chinese to carry out mental health assessments on Mr Shaikh, but this went unheeded. This has sparked outrage amongst campaigners who claimed that he had been suffering from delusions at the time of his arrest.
All Night Vigil
The news came following an all night vigil by family and supporters of Mr Shaikh outside the Chinese embassy in London. Family members, friends and human rights campaigners had gathered together to show solidarity on behalf of the condemned man.
British Condemnation
In a statement Gordon Brown said that he was “appalled” and “disappointed” by the execution and offered his condolences to the Shaikh family. Mr Brown went on to say:
“I condemn the execution of Amal Shaikh in the strongest terms, and I am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted.” And he added,
“I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken.”
The British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said,
“I condemn in the strongest terms the execution of the British national Akmal Shaikh. I join the Prime Minister in expressing my deepest condolences to Mr Shaikh's family and friends.”
Mr Miliband emphasised his regret at the Chinese disregard of humanitarian principles, and failure to acknowledge high level appeals from members of the British government. He said,
"The UK is completely opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances. However I also deeply regret the fact that our specific concerns about the individual in this case were not taken into consideration despite repeated calls by the Prime Minister, ministerial colleagues and myself.These included mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation during the trial."
This is the first execution of a European citizen in China for over 50 years. It’s not known how Mr Sheikh’s execution was carried out, but it is rumoured that it may have been by lethal injection according news sources in China. The Chinese authorities claim that the condemned man had been given a fair trial, and that drug smuggling was a “grave crime.”
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Alister Gillies - Alister's background is in project development. He is trained in counselling and personal development, although his academic background is ...
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