CHINA. DEATH PENALTY FOR WEAPONS SMUGGLERS

November 16, 2006: China's Supreme People's Court announced that anyone found smuggling more than ten artillery shells across the country's borders would receive the death penalty or life imprisonment.
According to a judicial interpretation of the criminal law on smuggling cases issued by the court, people who smuggle more than one unconventional shell in or out of the country, or more conventional artillery shells or grenades than the numbers detailed above will be adjudged to be committing smuggling offences of "an extraordinarily serious nature" and shall be given life imprisonment or death penalty in line with Article 151 of the Criminal Law. (Sources: Xinhua, 16/11/2006)