Canadian Michael Kovrig, held by China since 2018, ‘relieved’ by visit

Kovrig unbroken despite months of extreme isolation and shocked to learn of the scale of the coronavirus pandemic, his wife says after ‘virtual’ access
Canada calls for end to ‘arbitrary detention’ of ex-diplomat and his compatriot Michael Spavor after first consular access since January

Canada

Agence France-Presse

Published: 11:21am, 12 Oct 2020

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One of the two Canadians that Canada says are held arbitrarily in China was “relieved” to get outside news via a virtual diplomatic visit and remains determined to return home, his wife said on Sunday.

Canada announced on Saturday its first contact since January with Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been imprisoned in China for nearly two years.

After months of “extreme isolation, Michael was greatly relieved to receive news from the outside world” and of his family, Kovrig’s wife Vina Nadjibulla told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

“We are extremely proud that despite his long confinement, Michael’s spirit, determination and even his sense of humour remain unbroken,” she said, adding that her husband was shocked to learn about the scale of the coronavirus pandemic.

01:27

Second Canadian citizen detained in China

Canada’s ambassador to China, Dominic Barton, obtained “virtual consular access” to Spavor on Friday and Kovrig on Saturday, the Canadian foreign affairs ministry said in a statement.

Former diplomat Kovrig and consultant Spavor have been imprisoned in China since December 10, 2018. They were charged with espionage last June.

Their detention is seen by Western governments as retaliation for the arrest in Canada of Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Chinese telecoms company Huawei and daughter of its founder.

Meng was arrested on a US warrant in December 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver.

01:59

China accuses detained Canadians of spying, following Huawei CFO extradition approval

She is charged with bank fraud related to violations of US sanctions against Iran, and has been fighting extradition ever since.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday he had spoken to US President Donald Trump and thanked him for Washington’s continued support of efforts to free the two Canadians.

When announcing the consular visit on Saturday, the Canadian government reiterated its deep concern over the “arbitrary detention” of the two men and called for their immediate release.

The purpose of consular visits is generally to assess the condition of a detainee, clarify the nature of their detention, provide advice, seek access to medical care if necessary, and serve as a channel of communication between the detainee and their relatives.

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