China has carried out its first execution of a European Union national since 1951. 53 year old British citizen Akmal Shaikh was caught in 2007 trying to smuggle over 4 kg of heroin to China – a crime that bears the penalty of death in this communist country. Following two years of requests to grant Akmal Shaikh clemency, Chinese court has made its final ruling to go ahead with execution much to disappointment of British officials.
The execution of Akmal Shaikh prompted criticism of Chinese government by the Britons to which the Chinese responded with defiance. And as much as I am an opposer of the capital punishment, I must side with the Chinese on this one. Not with their right to execute their criminals, but with their right to retain judicial sovereignty. Akmal Shaikh knew what he was doing and knew that punishment for smuggling of such large amount of heroin to China may result in execution if caught yet he did it regardless. You play with fire, you get burned. As much as I don’t like capital punishment, I also don’t like heavy drugs such as heroin and most of all – I have no respect for people who do all they can to avoid working for their money. Opting for an easy way out by smuggling heroin to come by millions is the lowest form of being. I’m not saying Akmal Shaikh deserved to be executed, but he should have known better.
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