Beijing denies Karm Gilespie death sentence link

Scott Morrison says Australian officials have raised the case of Karm Gilespie with Chinese counterparts.

Karm Gilespie.

Beijing has denied a link between the death sentence handed down to Australian actor Karm Gilespie for drug-smuggling charges and strained diplomatic relations between China and Australia.

A spokesman for China’s foreign ministry said on Monday the court had reached the verdict following an investigation, declaring they would continue to protect Gilespie’s rights and facilitate consular visits.

“Drug crimes are a serious crime recognised worldwide. Using the death penalty in severe drug crimes can have a deterrence and preventive effect,” he said.

“China’s judicial institutions have proceeded according to Chinese law, and prosecuted the case according to the process of the law and truly respected China’s judicial sovereignty. The above case has no relation to the two countries’ diplomatic ties.”

Scott Morrison on Monday told question time that Australian officials had raised the case of Gilespie with the Chinese on several occasions and were working to secure the actor’s freedom.

The Prime Minister said he would continue to support the condemned Australian, who on Saturday was given 10 days to appeal his sentence, as he reiterated the nation’s opposition to the death penalty. “I and the government are very sad and concerned an Australian citizen, Mr Karm Gilespie, has been sentenced to death in China,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with him, his family and his loved ones.”

Gilespie’s family broke their silence on Monday, saying they were “very saddened” as they asked friends not to speculate on his case. “Our family is very saddened by the situation,” they said. “We also request friends and acquaintances of Karm refrain from speculating on his current circumstances, which we do not believe assists his case.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said it was important to handle the situation with diplomacy and tact as he rejected assertions the penalty might be politically motivated.

“What we need to do is make sure anything that’s said about this matter doesn’t ­affect Mr Gilespie’s cause and case in any way, shape or form,” he said.

Gilespie was arrested in 2013 with more than 7.5kg of methamphetamine as he was about to board an international flight.