Kovrig, Spavor ‘strong’ after two-year China detention: Canada

Two Canadians were detained shortly after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and accused of spying. Two Canadian men who have been detained by China for more than two years, in what Canada sees as retribution for its arrest of a top Huawei executive on US extradition charges, are in good mental and physical condition, Ottawa’s ambassador to Beijing said on Tuesday. In a statement to mark two years since Kovrig was arrested, his employer, Crisis Group described his detention as “unjust” and “a case of politically motivated hostage diplomacy that is doing profound damage to China’s worldwide reputation. #freeChinahostages pic.twitter.com/X7ZBYAkc2G — Bonnie Glaser / 葛來儀 December 7, 2020 This is my Christmas card for Michael Kovrig that I am mailing tonight to Ambassador CONG Peiwu, Chinese Embassy, 515 St. Patrick, Ottawa, K1N 5H3 #freechinahostages pic.twitter.com/xi6jJ8UKJO — Guy Saint-Jacques December 7, 2020 The Reuters news agency reported last week that US prosecutors were discussing a plea deal with Meng’s lawyers that would resolve the criminal charges against her and allow her to return to China. Its legitimate aspirations inevitably will be undermined by its arbitrary practice, sending a chilling effect to all those – members of the business community, diplomats, journalists, academics and researchers – who wish to travel to China.” To mark two years since Kovrig and Spavor were detained, a campaign has also been launched to rally support in Canada and elsewhere for the men’s release.