BEIJING (CHINA) – Two detained Canadians were charged with suspected espionage on Friday in China. Indictment could result in life imprisonment and the case has driven a diplomatic wedge between Ottawa and Beijing.
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested by Chinese authorities in late 2018 on state security charges, soon after Canadian authorities arrested Huawei Technologies chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Vancouver on a US warrant.
Although China claims the detentions have nothing to do with Meng, experts believe they are being used to pressure Canada.
China has repeatedly called for Meng’s release, and has warned Canada that it could face consequences for helping the United States.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing on Friday that the indictments were “of particularly serious circumstances which violated Article 111 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China,” which pertains to espionage and state secrets.
That article states that a conviction can carry a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment “when circumstances are particularly serious”.
“The facts are clear and the evidence is solid and sufficient. He should be held accountable for criminal responsibility under the above-mentioned charge,” Zhao said of Kovrig.
The charges mean a formal trial can begin.
Canada has termed the arrests “arbitrary”. The Canadian Embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this month, China’s ambassador to Canada, Cong Peiwu, told Reuters the two detained men were “in good health.” The foreign ministry said on Friday that consular visits to detainees had been suspended due the coronavirus threat.
Last year, the ruling Communist Party’s Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission had said Kovrig is accused of “stealing and spying on sensitive Chinese information and intelligence.” It said Spavor provided Kovrig with intelligence.
Kovrig works for the International Crisis Group (ICG), a non-governmental organisation that focuses on conflict resolution. ICG could not immediately be reached for comment.
ICG has previously said the accusations against Kovrig are “vague and unsubstantiated.”
Spavor, 44, is a businessman with deep ties to North Korea.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field