China Reverses Death Sentence for Canadian in a Small Win for Carney
Angeli Datt, research and advocacy coordinator at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said that human rights experts have long suspected that Mr. Schellenberg’s death sentence was the result of geopolitical tensions between China and Canada. “It’s hard to ignore the timing of Carney’s recent visit and this development on his case,” she said. “A retrial is a chance to grant him a fair trial.”
By Lily Kuo
Originally published by The New York Times on Feb. 6, 2026
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/world/asia/china-canada-death-sentence-overturned.html
The ruling by China’s highest court followed a recent meeting between China and Canada’s top leaders that led to a thaw in the two countries’ relations.
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Angeli Datt, research and advocacy coordinator at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said that human rights experts have long suspected that Mr. Schellenberg’s death sentence was the result of geopolitical tensions between China and Canada. “It’s hard to ignore the timing of Carney’s recent visit and this development on his case,” she said. “A retrial is a chance to grant him a fair trial.”
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