Mentally ill Englishman faces execution in China - Airport Hotels,Travel Airport News

Airport news for Airport Hotels,Travel on 12/10/2009.

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It has long been known that the penalties for committing crimes in China such as drug smuggling are much higher than in many European countries. So it should come as no real surprise to hear that when 53-year-old Akmal Shaikh from north London was caught entering China with drugs valued at£250,000, he was given the death sentence. However, what is shocking is that the sentence has been bestowed on Shaikh even though he is known to suffer from delusional psychosis.

Akmal Shaikh was arrested after a suitcase he was carrying was allegedly found to contain 4kg of heroine. However, it has been revealed that Shaikh, who has been proven to have a mental condition, had no knowledge that he was carrying the drug. In fact, Shaikh actually believed that the gang he was working for were helping him to become a pop star.

Last week the second appeal made by Shaikh’s lawyers failed and they have indicated that there is a very real chance that he will soon become the first British person to be executed in China as it is believed that he is due to receive a shot to the back of his head.

In a recent press statement, Shaikh’s bother Akbar said that: "Akmal has struggled for many years with what we now know to be a serious mental illness. We are all very worried for his safety as we know he is unable to defend himself properly. He will be extremely disorientated and distressed. We are praying that the Chinese courts will see that he is not of sound mind and prevent his execution."

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