Official note received from Chinese authorities says these trials are closed to both the public and the media
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement sent to CBC.
Despite several official requests to Chinese authorities, Canadian officials still have not been granted permission to attend trials
, adds the ministry.
We remain deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these procedures.
, he concludes, specifying that he cannot say more under the Act respecting the protection of personal information.
Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, and Michael Spavor, a businessman, were arrested in China in December 2018. They have been held there for 829 days.
The trial of Mr. Spavor will open on Friday and that of Mr. Kovrig on Monday, Global Affairs Canada announced on Wednesday.
The fate reserved for those we call both Michael
is seen by Ottawa as a retaliatory measure for the arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou.
The daughter of the founder of the Chinese telecommunications giant was arrested on December 1, 2018 in Vancouver, at the request of Washington, which accuses her of circumventing US sanctions against Iran.
The extradition proceedings against Meng Wanzhou have entered their final phase. The last hearings before a Canadian decision are scheduled for May.
Mr. Spavor, a businessman active in North Korea, is accused of stealing and illegally transmitting state secrets abroad.
Mr. Kovrig, who was acting as a consultant for the International Crisis Group (ICG) at the time of his arrest, is accused of collecting state secrets and intelligence intended for abroad.
Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau reiterated on Wednesday that Ottawa viewed their detention as arbitrary
and once again asked their immediate release
.
Two weeks ago, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Beijing of fabricating the charges against them from scratch.
It is evident that the two Michael were arrested on false charges […] after we have fulfilled our responsibilities to the extradition treaty and to our ally, the United States
, he said.
A judgment of guilt almost certain
Former Canadian Ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques explained in an interview to 24•60 what the dice are loaded
against both Michael.
<q data-attributes="{"lang":{"value":"fr","label":"Français"},"value":{"html":"Nous savons que le verdict est connu d'avance. Une fois qu'un suspect est officiellement accusé en Chine, il a plus de 99,2% chance of being found guilty “,” text “:” We know the verdict is known in advance. Once a suspect is officially charged in China, he or she has a more than 99.2% chance of being found guilty “}}” lang = “en”>We know the verdict is known in advance. Once a suspect is officially charged in China, they have a more than 99.2% chance of being found guilty, he argued.
He also explained that the two Michael’s are not allowed to consult their lawyers during the trial, nor are they allowed to bring notes into the classroom. They have to memorize everything they want to present.
The death penalty is possible, but I think it would be very surprising. There would be an outcry. Having said that, I expect there will be a very harsh sentence.
According to him, their sentences could be known as quickly as in a few weeks.
In addition, the announcement of the holding of these two trials when the Chinese are to meet the Americans at a summit in Alaska, is not a coincidence, believes Mr. Saint-Jacques. He believes that China will try to use legal proceedings as a negotiating lever to request Ms. Meng’s release from the United States.
Two worried families
Those close to Michael Spavor made a rare public statement on Thursday and proclaimed his innocence. As a family, we have chosen to stay largely away from the media in order to respect Michael’s request for privacy.
, explained the relatives of the businessman. At this time, however, we believe that it is necessary to speak out to ask for his unconditional release.
His continued detention is both unfair and unreasonable, even more so given the lack of transparency in this matter.
, they denounced, indicating that Michael Spavor was not than an ordinary Canadian businessman
.
He loved living and working in China and would never have done anything to harm the interests of China and the Chinese people. We stand behind Michael and maintain his innocence during these difficult times.
The family of former diplomat Michael Kovrig also spoke out. In an interview with CBC, his wife Vina Nadjibulla said it was a delicate and very emotional time for his family.
We suspected that day would come sooner rather than later, she said. Still, it’s a lot to absorb, it’s hard emotionally and it’s difficult to express all that it means for us.
Michael Kovrig’s employer, the International Crisis Group, also released a statement Thursday urging China to release the ex-diplomat. As soon as he was arrested, the political nature of this case became very clear. Decisions made in the Chinese justice system will not change this
, said the organization’s interim president, Richard Atwood.
<q data-attributes="{"lang":{"value":"fr","label":"Français"},"value":{"html":"Après 830days of imprisonment, Michael should be released immediately so that he can return home, to his relatives. “,” text “:” After 830 days of imprisonment, Michael should be released immediately so that he can return home to his relatives. relatives. “}}” lang = “fr”>After 830 days of imprisonment, Michael should be released immediately so that he can return home to his relatives.
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