The British government says that it is “alarmed and deeply concerned” by the Chinese high court’s decision to execute British citizen Akmal Shaikh, age 53, accused of smuggling heroin. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s request 21 December to reprieve the man appears to have been turned down, with a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson saying at a regular news conference that he is slated to be executed. Shaikh looks likely to be the first British citizen sentenced to death in China in 50 years.
Shaikh’s family has not seen him for several years, but family members and the British government say they believe him to be suffering from untreated bipolar disorder and possibly an additional delusional disorder that explain his erratic behaviour before his arrest in Urumqi, in western China, in July 2007. He left the UK to set up an airline in Poland, although he had no money, and then left for Kyrgystan to become a pop star. He claims that he was given the suitcase with heroin by a fellow traveler. China says he has had a fair trial. He is sentenced to die 29 December.
North and South Korea navy ships have exchanged fire along the countries’ disputed Western maritime border. The Northern vessel was reportedly hit by gunfire, and one North Korean was killed, and three injured, after it crossed a demaracation line Tuesday, 10 November, say several reports in Seoul, South Korea. CNN, Los Angeles Times.
Colombia may make a complaint to the United Nations and the Organization of American States, following Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’ call Sunday, 8 November for his country to prepare for war, and prepare the people for war. Chavez has been irritated by Colombia’s newly signed bases agreement with the USA, which will allow a US military presence in Colombia. Chavez says that this is a preparation for an invasion of Venezuela. CNN, Reuters India.
China says it has executed nine people involved in the deadly rioting in Urumqi, in China’s Xinjiang province last July. The US urged China to ensure that detentions and judicial processes be handled “in a transparent manner”, according to US State Department spokesman, Ian Kelly. AFP, New York Times
