Relatives Make Final Appeal for Briton in China

Xinjiang, China Map

Akmal Shaikh, a 53-year-old father of three, in 2008 of was convicted in 2008 of attempting to smuggle narcotics into China's far western Xinjiang region

Two cousins of a British citizen facing execution in China for drug-trafficking made a final appeal for his life and visited him Monday.

Akmal Shaikh, a 53-year-old father of three, was convicted in 2008 of attempting to smuggle 4 kilograms of heroin into Urumqi, a city in China's far western Xinjiang region. He is due to be executed on Tuesday.

Shaikh's family says he suffers from mental health problems (bipolar disorder) and that he was tricked into participating in the drug-smuggling scheme.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is among those appealing for clemency.

China's highest court has already rejected an appeal.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP.