Canada condemns China for executing four Canadian citizens on drug-related charges

Canada is condemning China for executing four Canadians dual citizens earlier this year who were convicted on drug-smuggling charges.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Wednesday the four were duel citizens of China and Canada and that the Canadian government will request leniency for other duel citizens who may face a similar punishment.

“We are strongly condemning what happened,” said Joly, according to CNN.

The names of the four executed are not known at this time.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday that Canada should "respect the spirit of the rule of law and stop interfering in China’s judicial sovereignty.”

The Chinese embassy in Canada said: “China always imposed severe penalties on drug-related crimes and maintains a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards the drug problem."