Gillespie was sentenced to death in China for smuggling drug. (Herald Sun)
The Australian man Gillespie (Karm Gilespie) was sentenced to death in China seven years after his arrest for smuggling drug. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Penn confirmed that Australian embassy and consulate officials had contacted Gillespie and provided him with consular assistance.
Mr. Gillesby was arrest. in 2013 when he was found carrying 7.5 kilograms methamphetamine, luggage while preparing for an international flight at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
According to the official website of the Guangzhou Intermediate People`s Court, on the morning of June 10 this year, the Guangzhou Intermediate people`s Court handed down a first instance judgment in the case of smuggling drug in Gilesby, sentenced him to death for smuggling and sentenced him to confiscation of all personal property.
Gillespie had 10 days to appeal after being sentenced to death. In addition to the imposition of the death penalty, the court ordered the confiscation of all his personal property.
Gillesby, from Virginia, is an actor who has played in the classic Australian police drama Blue Police Officer (Blue Heelers).
Australian Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Penn revealed that he had provided consular assistance to Gillesby. (Herald Sun)
"And we were able to visit detain place today (Tuesday) and we were able to do it via video interview ," Payne said in an interview. "
"It`s important ," she said ." I` m glad to have communicated it to his family. "
He said he would continue to seek consular visits and reiterated that Australia boycott apply the death penalty in any country and under any circumstances. "I am cautious about his situation and have full consideration. "
Before Payne`s remarks, Australian Prime Minister Morrison (Scott Morrison) also revealed that Australian officials had intervened with their Chinese counterparts in the case and said they were trying to ensure Gillespie`s "freedom ".
"Our family is deeply saddened by the situation ,illespie`s family said in a statement Monday. At the same time, we urge Gillespie`s friends and acquaintances not to speculate on his current situation. We do not believe that this would help the case. "
Before Payne responded, Australian News Group revealed the identity of Gillespie`s Chinese representative lawer. Having 20 years of experience with foreign clients, the lawer reportedly took over the Gillespie case in 2014.
Zou Jianhong (Zou Jianhong) of Guangdong Khmer Cotton lawer firm (Guangdong Hongmian Law firm) does not want to comment on the case. However, in an interview with Australian News Corp, he said he has extensive experience in foreign law services and often deals with foreign embassies and consulates in China.
According to the official website of Guangdong Cotton lawer firm, the lawer firm is one of the top ten firms in Guangzhou.
"Zou Jianhong has undertaken nearly 1,000 international trade, foreign investment, intellectual property rights (trademarks, patents) and criminal cases during his more than 20 years of lawer practice. He has extensive experience in foreign-related law services and has protected the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese and foreign parties in accordance with the law. "
The chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the gillespie case at a regular journalist meeting monday. Ministry of Foreign Affairs speaker Zhao Lijian pointed out that "the application of the death penalty to drug crimes that are extremely serious harm is conducive to deterring and preventing drug crimes ", and stressed that" Chinese judicial organs deal with criminals of different nationalities according to law ".
Zhao also refuted the statement that "the timing of Gillespie`s death sentence makes it difficult to separate it from the current tense relationship between China and Australia ", affirmed that" Chinese judicial organs handle cases independently in strict accordance with Chinese law, in accordance with law procedures ", and urged "Australia should earnestly respect Chinese judicial sovereignty ".
The state-run Global Times also published that China`s verdict against Gillespie was "fair and just ". "Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, some foreign drug smugglers have been sentenced to death in China, including drug dealer. smugglers from Japan, the United Kingdom and Canada drug are serious crimes and should be severely punished. A number of Asian countries, such as Singapore, Indonesia and China, have imposed the death penalty for drug crimes. "
"Australia has abolished the death penalty, but it would be unreasonable for Australia to continue to use its own law standards to accuse China of sentencing ," the article said. Chinese society as a whole has zero tolerance for drug smuggling. "
He warned Australia that bilateral relationship could deteriorate further after Australia condemned the death penalty, provided consular assistance and intervened on behalf of Gillespie.
"Australia`s attitude towards China is becoming more irrational. It chose to act as a pawn for the United States against China, but did not want to face the consequences. Australia has repeatedly unilaterally harmed China`s interests. However, when China acted to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, Australia played a victim role, calling China`s counter-action "bullying" and "coercion ."
