Britain has urged China to "do the right thing" in a last-minute appeal to halt the execution of a British national on death row for drug smuggling.
Britain has urged China to "do the right thing" in a last-minute appeal to halt the execution of a British national on death row for drug smuggling.
UK Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis yesterday called on China to show clemency for Akmal Shaikh (pictured), who faces the death penalty, saying it was "not appropriate" to execute someone with a mental illness.
The execution is due to take place today at 10.30 am (8 am IST).
"The clock is ticking and a man's life is at stake as we speak," said Lewis. "We hope that the relationship that we have with China will count for something in the end," he added.
The 53-year-old London resident was convicted of smuggling 4kg of heroin after being arrested in Urumqi, north west China, in September 2007.
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