A French national convicted of drug trafficking in China was executed after serving 20 years in prison, prompting regret from the French Foreign Ministry.
Drug Trafficking and Initial Sentencing
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed “deep regret” that the defense of the French citizen, Chan, was not permitted to participate in the final trial, a violation of his rights. Chan, originally from southern Canton and later a naturalized French citizen, was one of 89 suspects arrested in 2005 for drug trafficking.
In 2007, he was initially sentenced to life imprisonment.
Death Sentence and Operation Scale
In 2010, a court in his hometown sentenced him to death for his involvement in a drug operation estimated at 100 million yuan (15 million dollars), encompassing the production, transport, and sale of large quantities of methamphetamine within China.
China’s Strict Drug Laws
China enforces some of the world’s strictest drug laws, including the death penalty for foreign nationals convicted of smuggling significant amounts of narcotics, though execution statistics are not publicly released.
A death sentence can be imposed for smuggling as little as 50 grams of heroin or methamphetamine, though executions typically involve larger quantities.
Secrecy Surrounding Executions
The number of executions carried out in China is a state secret, with official statistics unavailable. International organizations, such as Amnesty International, estimate that China remains the world’s leading executioner, with thousands of executions annually.
Recent Trends in Capital Punishment
The Dui Hua Foundation notes a gradual decline in executions in the 21st century, from approximately 12,000 annually in the early 2000s to around 2,000-2,400 in the last decade. Reports indicate over 1,000 death sentences were carried out in China in 2024.
Methods of Execution and “Ambulances of Death”
Executions are carried out by firing squad or lethal injection. Due to the high volume of executions, China utilizes specially equipped mobile “execution ambulances.” These began appearing in the late 1990s and are now standard in many provinces.
These mobile execution centers resemble ordinary ambulances but contain an operating table with restraints and medical equipment for administering lethal injections. The introduction of these “ambulances of death” was justified by Chinese authorities on “humanitarian grounds,” but experts believe they facilitate executions discreetly, away from public view, and help maintain secrecy regarding the number of executions.
