‘Arrogant’: China rejects Canada’s claims over ‘unjust’ Spavor and Schellenberg verdicts

A diplomatic back and forth between Beijing and Ottawa flared up after Canadians Robert Schellenberg and Michael Spavor appeared in Chinese courts this week

Beijing says comments by Canada are ‘interfering in Chinese judicial organs and trespassing on the concept that everyone is equal before the law’

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the verdict for Spavor comes after more than 2½ years of arbitrary detention, “a lack of transparency in the legal process and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law.” Photo: Reuters

Published: 4:30pm, 12 Aug 2021Updated: 10:15pm, 12 Aug 2021

China rejected as ridiculous and arrogant criticism from Canada over separate court proceedings involving two detained Canadians.

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday that remarks by Canada over the cases this week of Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, whose appeal against the death penalty in China for drug smuggling was rejected, and Michael Spavor, who was jailed for 11 years for espionage, were an infringement of China’s sovereignty.

“China is a country under the rule of law. The judicial agencies of China deal with every case in accordance with the law and in an equal manner regardless of the nationality of the offenders. Foreign nationality is not a protection,” the ministry said.

“On one hand, Canada portrays itself as a country upholding the rule of law and with judicial independence, but on the other it is interfering in Chinese judicial organs and trespassing on the concept that everyone is equal before the law. Its true intention is to politicise legal issues.”

The remarks came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the sentencing of Spavor was “absolutely unacceptable and unjust”.

“The verdict for Mr Spavor comes after more than 2½ years of arbitrary detention, a lack of transparency in the legal process and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law,” Trudeau said.

“For Mr Spavor, as well as for Michael Kovrig who has also been arbitrarily detained, our top priority remains securing their immediate release. We will continue working around the clock to bring them home as soon as possible”.