Briton faces execution in China

[dirtydog]

Briton faces execution in China

Akmal Shaikh was arrested in north west China in 2007

A Briton is facing execution in China for drug smuggling after his appeal was rejected by China's Supreme People's Court.

Akmal Shaikh, 51, of north London, was arrested in September 2007 in Urumqi, north-west China, but denies knowledge of the 4kg of heroin he had with him.

A legal charity says Mr Shaikh suffers from bipolar disorder and is mentally-ill but the court denied the appeal.

The Foreign Office confirmed the court has set his execution for 29 December.

He would become the first EU national to be executed in China in 50 years.

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office spokesman said the government was "alarmed and deeply concerned" at the news and it would "renew and intensify" appeals to the Chinese for clemency.


It "deeply regrets" that mental health concerns have no bearing on the final judgment turning down his appeal and ministers and the Prime Minister were "closely engaged", he added.

But legal charity Reprieve, which campaigns for fair trials and promotes human rights, called on Gordon Brown to intervene and "speak directly" to the Chinese president.

'Duped'

Reprieve's director, Clive Stafford Smith, said: "We very much hope that Akmal Shaikh does not become a victim of the regrettably cold political climate that has resulted [from Copenhagen].

"The Prime Minister should speak directly with President Hu, emphasise that Chinese compassion would be viewed as a great favour to the British people, and note the consistent view of Chinese and British doctors that a full mental health assessment is vital to assess how Akmal's illness contributed to the offence."

Mr Shaikh's family were "begging" the Chinese authorities to show compassion and consider his mental health problems, he added.

Reprieve said Dr Peter Schaapveld, a forensic psychologist, believes it was very likely that Mr Shaikh's strange behaviour was "influenced or caused by" his mental illness.

It said Chinese experts have joined Dr Schaapveld in calling for a proper mental health evaluation.

The charity claims Shaikh has always maintained he went to China to start a career as a pop star, despite no history of public singing, having previously lived in Poland where he tried to set up an airline.

It says he was duped into carrying a bag for someone who claimed to be able to give him work in a nightclub, only for police to find the heroin when he landed in China.

Reprieve said Mr Shaikh's last chance appears to be clemency because China has formally signed the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

BBC News - Briton faces execution in China

[smeden]

4 kilo of heroin just hang the sucker

[the dogcatcher]

the bloke is nuts. pop star at 51.

[taxexile]

The charity claims Shaikh has always maintained he went to China to start a career as a pop star, despite no history of public singing, having previously lived in Poland where he tried to set up an airline.

the man is a fruitcake and should be treated for his condition, but this is china and so he will probably be shot.

why werent his family looking out for him when he embarked on these adventures and why wasnt he treated or advised in the uk ?

[chitown]

Akmal Shaikh

Is that a Welsh name?

[Cujo]

Akmal Shaikh

Is that a Welsh name?

English name apparently.

[crazy dog]

Even with bipolar disorder I think you would know you were smuggling a big bag of H into the country, the Chinks aint as soft as westerners, hes a dead un for sure. If he got off with it due to being a bit daft there would be smugglers claiming all sorts of disabilities in mitigation.

[Whiteshiva]

The charity claims Shaikh has always maintained he went to China to start a career as a pop star, despite no history of public singing, having previously lived in Poland where he tried to set up an airline.

the man is a fruitcake and should be treated for his condition, but this is china and so he will probably be shot.

why werent his family looking out for him when he embarked on these adventures and why wasnt he treated or advised in the uk ?

If he has polar disorder, he is probably legally sane and therefore is free to go where he wants. The disorder can be kept under control with medication, but if the patient fails to take it, they are basically out of control (to other people - they think they are acting rationally).

If he truly is suffering from polar disorder, this is tragic, but I hardly think the Chinese will pardon him - it simply sends the wrong message, and the right of the individual means nothing to the Chinese authorities.

[watterinja]

Ok then, a little more oxygen for the rest of us then...

[StrontiumDog]

Even with bipolar disorder I think you would know you were smuggling a big bag of H into the country, the Chinks aint as soft as westerners, hes a dead un for sure. If he got off with it due to being a bit daft there would be smugglers claiming all sorts of disabilities in mitigation.

I knew a lady with bipolar disorder who used to run around naked, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the town in which she lived. She hung herself and was discovered by her young daughters.


Bipolar disordered individuals can easily behave without awareness of consequences for their actions. It is a mental illness.

He did go to China to be an actor and did try to start an airline...so I'd say he's pretty bizarre! While I agree, someone facing the death penalty will try anything to get off the charge, this guy does sound crazy.

[Perota]

If he truly is suffering from polar disorder, this is tragic, but I hardly think the Chinese will pardon him - it simply sends the wrong message, and the right of the individual means nothing to the Chinese authorities.

I'm not a supporter of the death penalty but China applies it in a more fair manner than most others countries. Where else in the world can you see top businessman and civil servants executed ? Other countries have much more a record of executing the poor, uneducated and mentally retarded but being lenient with the rich and powerful. The people who were responsible for the tainted milk that killed a number of babies have been executed, what would have been the sentence for a similar offense in other countries ?

[English Noodles]

I think he probably went to China in the full knowledge that he was transporting 4kg of heroin, he probably thought it was easy money if he got away with it.

[Thaiguy]

Even with bipolar disorder I think you would know you were smuggling a big bag of H into the country, the Chinks aint as soft as westerners, hes a dead un for sure. If he got off with it due to being a bit daft there would be smugglers claiming all sorts of disabilities in mitigation.

I knew a lady with bipolar disorder who used to run around naked, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the town in which she lived. She hung herself and was discovered by her young daughters.


Bipolar disordered individuals can easily behave without awareness of consequences for their actions. It is a mental illness.

He did go to China to be an actor and did try to start an airline...so I'd say he's pretty bizarre! While I agree, someone facing the death penalty will try anything to get off the charge, this guy does sound crazy.

Bipolar is just a new name for schitzophrenia correct spelling ? - ah near enough.
so much political correctness crap to-day - check it out!

[Jet Gorgon]

why wasn't he treated or advised in the uk?

55555 Errm, sorry. Yes, they do have such a wonderful healthcare system there.

Akmal Shaikh

Is that a Welsh name?

Close to what the next generation of English will be named. I expect Mohammed will be the most popular given name.

[crazy dog]

Bipolar is just a new name for schitzophrenia correct spelling ? - ah near enough. so much political correctness crap to-day - check it out!

No it's not as serious as that, it's the new name (why do we need one) for manic depession


Bipolar disorder

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, manic depressive psychosis, manic depression or bipolar affective disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated mood clinically referred to as mania or, if milder, hypomania. Individuals who experience manic episodes also commonly experience depressive episodes or symptoms, or mixed episodes in which features of both mania and depression are present at the same time. These episodes are usually separated by periods of "normal" mood, but in some individuals, depression and mania may rapidly alternate, known as rapid cycling. Extreme manic episodes can sometimes lead to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. The disorder has been subdivided into bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and other types, based on the nature and severity of mood episodes experienced; the range is often described as the bipolar spectrum.


You can bet the guy is well depressed now!

[taxexile]

55555 Errm, sorry. Yes, they do have such a wonderful healthcare system there.

he would have had no trouble being diagnosed, treated and followed up on a long term basis for depressive illness in the uk.

the system there is far from perfect, true, as many well publicised cases can testify, but for the relatiely simple straightforward diagnosis and treatment of fruitcake-itis he would have been well served by the system.

[taxexile]

Tax evaders are also murdered by the chinese to havest their organs if they match!!!!! Death penalty for tax evasion!!!!!!

if a crime carries the death penalty and that penalty is widely known then surely anybody who evades taxes is just asking for trouble and cant complain when trouble comes knocking.

if you see a sign saying 10,000 volts do not touch, you dont touch.

its not rocket science.

[Cujo]

They've set the date.
29th.

China sets execution date for Briton

By Raphael G Satter
8:29 AM Tuesday Dec 22, 2009


British Prime Minister Gordon Brown personally appealed to the Chinese government to spare the man's life. Photo / AP

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown personally appealed to the Chinese government to spare the man's life. Photo / AP



LONDON - China plans to execute a British man convicted of drug smuggling before the end of the year, officials said Monday, ignoring a personal appeal from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to spare the man's life.
Britain's Foreign Office said that Chinese authorities have told them they plan to execute Akmal Shaikh, a 53-year-old man whose supporters say has mental health problems and was duped into carrying drugs into China, on 29 December.
"We are alarmed and deeply concerned at this news," the Foreign Office said in a statement.
"We will be using the next few days to renew and intensify our appeal to the Chinese authorities for clemency."
Human Rights group Reprieve said that Shaikh's appeal had been rejected by the People's Supreme Court of China, exhausting his legal options.
"Akmal's last chance appears to be clemency," Reprieve said in a statement, appealing to Chinese President Hu Jintao to grant Shaikh a pardon.

"It is impossible to imagine what Akmal's family are going through this holiday season," Reprieve Director Clive Stafford Smith said.
"This is no time for pride - they beg the Chinese authorities to show compassion and take Akmal's mental health problems into account."
Shaikh, a small business owner from north London, was sentenced to death in October 2008 after being convicted of taking a suitcase containing almost 4 kilogram's of heroin into the far western Chinese city of Urumqi.
Family members say Shaikh has a lifelong history of unbalanced behaviour, and British officials have expressed concerns over his mental health.
Reprieve claims that Shaikh was lured to China by men who promised to help him launch a career in pop music and has cited a preliminary medical report that states that Shaikh's actions "were most likely influenced by some form of delusional psychosis".
The British Foreign Office accused Chinese officials of not taking Shaikh's mental health concerns into account despite repeated requests from his lawyers, the prime minister and a host of British and European officials.
A call seeking comment from China's Foreign Ministry was not immediately returned late Monday, but China has defended the integrity of the case.
At a media briefing in October, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said there was no proof that Shaikh had mental health problems.
- AP
By Raphael G Satter

China sets execution date for Briton - World - NZ Herald News

[StrontiumDog]

Oh, GB has personally made a plea..I'm sure they'll listen to that..

[English Noodles]

This is what happens if convicted of drug trafficking in Iran.

http://change-production.s3.amazonaw..._execution.jpg

http://images.scotsman.com/2007/08/02/en02irab.jpg

http://activistchat.com/images/kavou...xecution12.jpg

[StrontiumDog]

why wasn't he treated or advised in the uk?

55555 Errm, sorry. Yes, they do have such a wonderful healthcare system there.

Akmal Shaikh

Is that a Welsh name?

Close to what the next generation of English will be named. I expect Mohammed will be the most popular given name.

Once more the mighty swoops in and posts utter bullshit.

If he was previously diagnosed he would've been given medication. It is up to the individual to take their medication. Most mentally ill people take their meds until they feel better, then stop. It's a well known phenomena....which of course you knew, right? This guy is clearly unwell, but whether the UK health service is good or not is totally irrelevant.

But instead you lapse into lazy comments about the UK's health service, which suits your anti-healthcare agenda. You just had to have a go.

[StrontiumDog]

This is what happens if convicted of drug trafficking in Iran.

Modern civilisation eh...

[Norton]

But instead you lapse into lazy comments about the UK's health service

Given the slightest opening Jet will find a way to insert something suiting her agenda. Surprised she didn't blame Michelle's wardrobe for the downfall of Mr. Shaikh.

[Gerbil]

This is what happens if convicted of drug trafficking in Iran.

http://change-production.s3.amazonaw..._execution.jpg

http://images.scotsman.com/2007/08/02/en02irab.jpg

http://activistchat.com/images/kavou...xecution12.jpg

No noodles, They're just hanging out the christmas bunting.

[WhiteKnight]

It says he was duped into carrying a bag for someone

This is the part that leaves me in serious doubt, and I really wonder about his mental health since so many make the same or similar claims when caught with drugs or at least somebody speaking on his behalf does.