China hands over cases of detained Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig to prosecutors
- Two have been held for a year on spying charges in move widely seen as retaliation for detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou
- Canadian government complains pair have been denied access to a lawyer and contact with families, but Chinese say they are ‘in good condition’
China said on Tuesday that the cases of two Canadians who have been held on spying charges for a year have been handed over to prosecutors.
The detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor has prompted accusations that it was in retaliation for the arrest in Canada of senior Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on a US warrant.
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said the investigation into their cases had been completed and the cases would be “reviewed and prosecuted in accordance with the law”.
She added that the Canadian embassy had been allowed several consular visits and said the pair “are in good condition … all their legitimate rights have been guaranteed”.
Former diplomat Kovrig has been charged with “gathering state secrets and intelligence for abroad” while Spavor, who promoted tourism and investment in North Korea, was accused of “stealing and providing state secrets for abroad”.
Such trials are usually carried out behind closed doors.