Leniency plea for man facing execution

A BRITON who was due to be executed in China this morning was only told of his fate yesterday, his supporters said.

Akmal Shaikh, aged 53, who campaigners say has a mental illness, was due to be put to death at 2.30am GMT for smuggling 4kg of heroin, but was unaware of his death sentence until yesterday.

Campaigners believe Shaikh was duped into transporting the drug.