Abbotsford MP Ed Fast says it appears that the government of China is sa国际传媒減oliticizingsa国际传媒� a case involving a former Abbotsford man who has been sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, was convicted today (Monday) in the Dalian Intermediate Peoplesa国际传媒檚 Court in the Liaoning Province.

sa国际传媒淢r. Schellenberg was originally detained in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking,sa国际传媒� Fast said in a press release.

sa国际传媒淚t appears from the rush to re-try and re-sentence Mr. Schellenberg that the government of China is politicizing his appeal in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.sa国际传媒�

Since the Dec. 1 arrest of Wanzhou, Canada has been subject to retaliatory detentions by the Chinese government.

Dozens of Canadians have been detained on administrative grounds or had their visas questioned, Fast said.

He said hesa国际传媒檚 calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to immediately intervene.

sa国际传媒淭he government of Canada needs to outline what steps they are taking to ensure the safety of this Canadian citizen so he does not lose his life over a political dispute,sa国际传媒� Fast said.

sa国际传媒淲hile I do not question Mr. Schellenbergsa国际传媒檚 criminal past or Chinasa国际传媒檚 right to govern its own criminal justice system, that does not extend to the use of the death penalty, which Canada fiercely opposes.sa国际传媒�

Fast said he said believes that sa国际传媒渁ll Canadians are entitled to due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.sa国际传媒�

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