China executes French citizen convicted of drug trafficking

China has carried out the execution of a French citizen convicted of drug trafficking, AFP reports.

The 62-year-old French national, Chan Thao Phoumy, who was born in Laos, was executed despite efforts by French diplomats to secure clemency on humanitarian grounds.

“Despite the efforts of the French authorities, including attempts to obtain a pardon on humanitarian grounds for our compatriot,” France’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

According to reports, the defence team was not granted access to the final court hearing. The execution was carried out in Guangzhou, in southern China.

When asked to comment, China’s foreign ministry declined to disclose further details about the case.

By Vugar Khalilov