Family appeal to China to spare son's life

The family of a mentally ill Briton facing the death penalty in China have appealed for his life to be spared.

Akmal Shaikh, 53, from north London, is facing execution after around £250,000 worth of heroin was found in a suitcase he was carrying in China in September 2007, and if his latest appeal fails he could be shot immediately.

Akbar Shaikh, Akmal's brother, said: "He will be extremely disorientated and distresse. We pray that the Chinese courts will see that he is not of sound mind, and prevent his execution."