Australian and Chinese media have identified the man as Cam Gillespie, arrested seven years ago on charges of drug trafficking in southern China. "We are deeply saddened to hear of the verdict made in his case," the Australian foreign affairs department said in an emailed statement to Reuters. "Australia opposes the death penalty, in all circumstances for all people. We support the universal abolition of the death penalty and are committed to pursuing this goal through all the avenues available to us." The death sentence for drug smuggling is not uncommon in China, where executions are usually carried out by firing squad.

Source: bd News24 June 14, 2020 14:26 UTC