Abbotsford MP Ed Fast says it appears that the government of China is 鈥減oliticizing鈥� a case involving a former Abbotsford man who has been sentenced to death for drug smuggling.

Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, 36, was convicted today (Monday) in the Dalian Intermediate People鈥檚 Court in the Liaoning Province.

鈥淢r. Schellenberg was originally detained in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking,鈥� Fast said in a press release.

鈥淚t appears from the rush to re-try and re-sentence Mr. Schellenberg that the government of China is politicizing his appeal in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.鈥�

Since the Dec. 1 arrest of Wanzhou, Canada has been subject to retaliatory detentions by the Chinese government.

Dozens of Canadians have been detained on administrative grounds or had their visas questioned, Fast said.

He said he鈥檚 calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to immediately intervene.

鈥淭he government of Canada needs to outline what steps they are taking to ensure the safety of this Canadian citizen so he does not lose his life over a political dispute,鈥� Fast said.

鈥淲hile I do not question Mr. Schellenberg鈥檚 criminal past or China鈥檚 right to govern its own criminal justice system, that does not extend to the use of the death penalty, which Canada fiercely opposes.鈥�

Fast said he said believes that 鈥渁ll Canadians are entitled to due process and protection from cruel and unusual punishment.鈥�

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