China-based diplomats warn case of detained Canadians Kovrig and Spavor is ‘Sword of Damocles’ hanging over their heads
- As pair face 100th day in detention, diplomatic staff warn of implications of case amid concerns China is undermining principle of diplomatic immunity
- Embassy staff now fear returning to China without diplomatic protection as concerns grow Michael Kovrig will be interrogated about his work for Canada’s ministry of foreign affairs
Tuesday will mark the 100th day since two Canadians detained in China have had a proper night’s sleep. Since their arrest last December, they are likely to have been kept largely in the dark about the charges against them – but the lights in their cells will have stayed on day and night.
But the detention of the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig – held along with his fellow Canadian Michael Spavor on December 10 – has shocked other diplomats stationed in China, who have been exploring legal game plans to protect themselves should they ever find themselves in the same situation.
“It’s a sword of Damocles hanging over all diplomats. We are very concerned. Everyone is talking about it,” said one diplomat working in Beijing, adding that many fear returning to China on anything other than a diplomatic passport in future.
Despite attempts by Beijing to separate the case from Kovrig’s work with Canada’s foreign service, many diplomatic staff are worried they could one day face a similar predicament.
Diplomats and observers have linked their case with that of Sabrina Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, who was arrested in Vancouver on December 1.
Meng, the daughter of the tech giant’s founder Ren Zhengfei, is wanted in the US on fraud charges relating to alleged breaches of sanctions on Iran.