Canada’s foreign ministry and Schellenberg’s attorney have reported that China’s top judicial body has reversed the death penalty imposed on Canadian national Robert Lloyd Schellenberg.
Schellenberg was first arrested in 2014 in Dalian, a city in northeastern China, on allegations of drug offenses. His initial trial resulted in a 15‑year prison term for drug trafficking. Then, in January 2019, a court in Liaoning province ordered a new hearing and upgraded the sentence to death, stating that the earlier punishment had been insufficient given his alleged involvement. The judges claimed Schellenberg had a key role in a scheme to transport illegal drugs to Australia.
Throughout the proceedings, Schellenberg has maintained his innocence.
On Friday, China’s Supreme People’s Court declared that the death sentence was overturned. His lawyer, Zhang Dongshuo, verified the reversal and explained that the case will now go back to the Liaoning High People’s Court for another trial; a date for that hearing has yet to be announced.
Zhang met with Schellenberg in Dalian on Friday and noted that his client seemed fairly composed after learning of the decision.
Canadian authorities acknowledged they are aware of the ruling and pledged to keep offering consular support to Schellenberg and his relatives. The Supreme Court gave no explanation for its ruling.
Schellenberg is still in detention while awaiting the result of the upcoming retria
