A French-Chinese drug trafficker was executed after 20 years in prison, prompting France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to express “shock.” The Chinese Embassy in France stated that China is a country governed by law, that defendants of different nationalities are treated equally, and that the case was handled strictly in accordance with the law and with fairness.
According to France’s Le Monde on Sunday (April 5), France expressed “shock” upon learning that a French citizen had been sentenced to death for drug trafficking in Guangzhou.
62-year-old Chan Thao Phoumy was sentenced to death in 2010 for participating in a synthetic drug production and distribution network. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that despite authorities’ efforts—including attempting to obtain a pardon for their citizen on humanitarian grounds—Chinese authorities still decided to carry out the death penalty after he had been imprisoned for over 20 years.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the defense team was denied participation in the final hearing, “which infringed the rights of the party concerned.” “We express our deepest condolences to his family and share in their grief. France reiterates its opposition to the death penalty, wherever and under any circumstances, and calls for its abolition worldwide.”
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the defense team was denied participation in the final hearing, “which infringed the rights of the party concerned.” “We express our deepest condolences to his family and share in their grief. France reiterates its opposition to the death penalty, wherever and under any circumstances, and calls for its abolition worldwide.”
The Chinese Embassy in France issued a brief statement on Sunday afternoon titled “Spokesperson’s Remarks on the Execution of French Drug Offender Chan Thao Phoumy,” saying: “Combating drug-related crimes is a shared responsibility of all countries. China is a country governed by law, treats defendants of different nationalities equally, strictly handles cases in accordance with the law and with fairness, and guarantees the legal rights and treatment of the party concerned in accordance with the law.”
The statement did not further explain the details of Chan’s execution, such as when China’s Supreme Court signed the execution order.
According to the BBC, Chan Thao Phoumy was born in Laos but held French citizenship. In 2005, Chan and 89 other suspects in drug trafficking crimes were arrested by Chinese police. In September 2007, the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced Chan to life imprisonment for the crimes of smuggling and trafficking drugs.
The statement did not further explain the details of Chan’s execution, such as when China’s Supreme Court signed the execution order.
According to the BBC, Chan Thao Phoumy was born in Laos but held French citizenship. In 2005, Chan and 89 other suspects in drug trafficking crimes were arrested by Chinese police. In September 2007, the Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court sentenced Chan to life imprisonment for the crimes of smuggling and trafficking drugs.
In August 2010, in response to police discovery of additional crimes, the Guangzhou Intermediate Court revised Chan’s sentence to the death penalty. At the time, police claimed that the drug trafficking syndicate Chan was involved in had manufactured and distributed more than eight tons of heroin and methamphetamine.