An Australian man has been sentenced to death in China for drug smuggling, the Australian government has confirmed.
The man was named in Australian media as Karm or Cam Gilespie.
He is believed to have been arrested at an airport in 2013 with 7.5kg (16 Ibs) of methamphetamine, also known as ice, in his luggage, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reports.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was “deeply saddened to hear of the verdict”.
“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,” it said in a statement.
China has also banned Australia’s beef imports and imposed tariffs on its barley.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia would “never be intimidated by threats”.
Karm Gilespie is thought to have been arrested seven years ago while trying to board an international flight from Baiyun Airport in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou.
Chinese media reports say the death sentence was announced by the Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court on 10 June.
