Published on : 19/03/2021 – 04:44
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The trial of a Canadian imprisoned in China for more than two years begins today in the Chinese city of Dandong in the northeast of the country. Michael Spavor, a businessman who traded between China and North Korea, is accused of espionage, as is Michael Kovrig, another Canadian who is due to stand trial on Monday. The two men were arrested shortly after the interception in Vancouver, Canada of the number two Huawei, who has since been under house arrest
With our correspondent in Montreal, Pascale guéricolas
The date chosen by the Chinese authorities to start the trials of the two Canadians is no coincidence. It corresponds to the meeting between the American Secretary of State and his Chinese counterpart in Alaska. Since their arrest in December 2018, the fate of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor seems to be linked to China’s relations with the United States, but also with Canada.
Clearly the two men owe their arrest on Chinese soil to the interception of Huawei’s number two by customs officers at Vancouver airport. Except unlike Meng Whanzhou, Canadians cannot count on the assistance of a lawyer to assist them in Chinese court. No more help from consular services since the trial takes place behind closed doors.
Its outcome is also quite predictable since in more than 98% of cases this type of procedure ends with the guilt of the accused. To be released, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor can therefore only count on a warming of diplomatic ties between China and the United States, Canada’s allies.
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