China executed four Canadian citizens for drug-related offences earlier this year, despite multiple pleas for clemency, Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters on Wednesday that she “strongly condemns” the executions,

Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said she and former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked for clemency in the drug-related accusations involving the dual citizens.

Canada said on Wednesday that China had executed four Canadian citizens on drugs smuggling charges earlier this year, and strongly condemned Beijing's use of the death penalty. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters that all four had been dual citizens and said Ottawa would ask for leniency for other Canadians facing the same fate.