China formally arrests two Canadian citizens

News Service
12:3416/05/2019, Thursday
U: 16/05/2019, Thursday
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Louis Huang holds a placard ccalling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig outside a court hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Louis Huang holds a placard ccalling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig outside a court hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Beijing accuses former diplomat, businessman of spying

Two Canadian citizens were formally arrested by Chinese authorities although "no formal charge has been registered" yet, Canadian media said Thursday.

Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a China-based businessman, were detained last December for reasons of "national security".

The case triggered a row between Beijing and Ottawa.

Canadian daily The Globe and Mail reported Thursday that no formal charges have been leveled against the two.

Canada's Foreign Ministry condemned the detention of its nationals as "arbitrary arrest".

China has accused Kovrig of spying and "stealing state secrets", and Spavo of providing him with intelligence.

#arbitrary arrest
#Canadian citizens
#Chinese authorities
#Michael Kovrig
#Michael Spavor
#spying