China executes French citizen for drug trafficking
In Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, China executed French citizen Chen Sen (Chan Thao Phoumy) on charges of involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking network.
Source Reuters
In 2010, the 62-year-old Chen was sentenced to death for drug trafficking worth over 100 million yuan (approximately 15 million US dollars). Chen Sen was born in China, or, according to other sources, in Laos, but later acquired French citizenship. He was one of 89 individuals arrested in 2005 in a case involving drug production and distribution.
The Chinese embassy in France emphasized that combating drug crimes is a shared responsibility of all countries and that China treats defendants equally regardless of citizenship.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret over the execution despite France’s efforts, including requests for clemency on humanitarian grounds.
This case highlights China's strict approach to drug-related crimes regardless of diplomatic pressures and may strain international relations moving forward.
China is likely to continue enforcing harsh penalties for drug offenses, complicating future diplomatic negotiations on such issues.
