Detention of two Canadian men in China nears the six-month mark

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – In a few days, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig will mark an unfortunate milestone – their sixth month in detention.

They are the two Canadian men who’ve been held in China ever since the arrest of Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver in December.

It’s generally understood that the fate of the men and of Meng are intertwined and that China apprehended the men in retaliation for Canada arresting Meng as part of extradition proceedings.

On Thursday, Meng learned her extradition hearing will begin January 20, 2020. She remains under house arrest in her $5 million mansion in Vancouver

That means Spavor and Kovrig aren’t likely to be released any time soon, says Yves Tiberghien, a UBC political scientist and distinguished fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

WATCH: China formally arrests two Canadian linked to Huawei case

“Sadly, for China this is linked to the Meng case, so the Canadians are essentially hostages. It’s as simple as that.”

For now, the men are being held in individual cells with the lights on all the time. Tiberghien says the conditions aren’t bad, by Chinese standards. He points out at least they are not housed with other prisoners.

He understands circumstances for the men have improved somewhat.

“Apparently there has been some dimming of the lights at night and the men have been given eye masks. They are allowed the occasional book, coming through the consulate.”

Canadian consular officials have visited the men roughly once a month since their detention.

Last month, the two were formally charged; Kovrig is charged with gathering state secrets, while Spavor is alleged to have stolen and provided secrets for overseas forces.

Given the release of the two isn’t imminent, the best case scenario is a change in the way the two are detained.

READ MORE: Chinese state news agency says detained Canadians stole state secrets

“At least Canada, I’m sure, is asking for them to be under house arrest. They would need to find an apartment and put them there, because they don’t have homes in Beijing. This would make it more humane,” says Tiberghien.

“And I have hope for that, that they could accept the idea, given that Meng is being held in very good conditions. It could be in the cards. China could send a positive signal and improve the conditions.”

Meantime, China appears to be ramping up pressure on Canada on other fronts over the Meng Wanzhou matter. A couple of days ago the country announced it would be increasing inspection of Canadian pork.

Meng Wanzhou is CFO of Huawei. The US wants her extradited to answer to 13 counts of conspiracy, fraud and obstruction over alleges she and her company set up a scheme to conduct business in Iran, in contravention of sanctions against the country.

 

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