China denies detained Canadian ex-diplomat Michael Kovrig access to a lawyer
- International Crisis Group says ‘the unfortunate reality’ is that its employee has been unable to receive legal advice since being taken into custody 11 days ago
- China’s foreign ministry says Kovrig’s lawful rights and humanitarian treatment are guaranteed in accordance with the law
Concerns are growing for the former Canadian diplomat detained in China after it emerged that he had not been given access to a lawyer.
Michael Kovrig, currently working as a senior adviser for Crisis Group, a non-governmental organisation, was detained by the Chinese authorities on December 10 accused of activities that endangered Chinese state security.
Another Canadian, Michael Spavor, a businessman based in the city of Dandong on the border with North Korea, was also detained over similar allegations.
Robert Malley, president of International Crisis Group, said Kovrig had not been allowed to see a lawyer.
“That is the unfortunate bottom line,” he said this week. “At this point, all of our energy is focused on getting Michael out, reuniting him with his family. We want to make sure he gets out safely, and soon.”
The detention of Kovrig and Spavor were seen as a retaliation for Canada’s arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou at the request of the US.
Meng, who is accused of fraud related to an alleged breach of US sanctions on Iran, has since been released on bail.