Tag: Michael Spavor

Canada’s Ambassador to US Says Meng Deal ‘Independent’ of China’s Release of Kovrig and Spavor

Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. says Washington did not make China’s release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor a condition of the resolution of the charges against Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou. “Absolutely not. The DPA [Deferred Prosecution Agreement] and the resolution of the charges against Ms. Meng was a completely independent process,” said…


Michael Kovrig: ‘It’s Fantastic to Be Back in Canada’

Michael Kovrig expressed his gratification for finally being back in Canada as he arrived in Toronto Saturday afternoon, after having been arbitrarily detained in Chinese prisons for over 1,000 days. “It’s fantastic to be back in Canada, and I’m immensely grateful for everybody who worked so hard to bring [me and Michael Spavor] back home,”…


Trudeau Links Global Campaign on Arbitrary Detention Declaration to China

OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada spearheaded an international declaration denouncing state-sponsored arbitrary detentions because of China’s decision to imprison Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor. Trudeau made the connection for the first time Friday during a federal election campaign appearance in Windsor, Ont. In February, when the federal government announced that it had created a…


Leaders Trade Barbs on ‘Two Michaels,’ China Human Rights in English Debate

A question on where the next prime minister will stand when it comes to the “trade off” between Canada’s economic growth and recognizing the Chinese regime’s human rights violations sparked fiery exchanges among party leaders during the English debate on Thursday night. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau was quick to jump in the moment NDP Leader…


US, Canada Demand Release of 2 Michaels on 1,000th Day of Arbitrary Detention in China

The United States and Canada on Sunday both called on Beijing to immediately release the two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been detained in China for 1,000 days in what many countries are labeling as “hostage politics.” Spavor and Kovrig were arbitrarily detained by the Chinese regime shortly after Canada arrested…


‘Unbelievable,’ Says Tory Candidate of China Ship Deal While ‘2 Michaels’ Remain Imprisoned

The fact that a federal shipbuilding contract ended up going to a Chinese state-owned conglomerate is “unbelievable,” especially when Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor continue to be arbitrarily imprisoned in China, says Conservative candidate Pierre Paul-Hus. Paul-Hus, a Conservative MP and his party’s shadow minister for public safety before the election was called,…


Meng Wanzhou’s Legal Team Omits Critical Information in Extradition Case, Government Lawyer Says on Final Day of Hearing

A lawyer for Canada’s attorney general says Meng Wanzhou’s legal team is omitting important information in the extradition case against her and is instead presenting an “alternative narrative,” as the formal hearing for the case is set to wrap up today. Robert Frater told the British Columbia Supreme Court that Meng’s 2013 presentation to international bank HSBC…


11-Year Sentence for Canadian Michael Spavor Highlights China’s Communist Dictatorship

Commentary China has sentenced Canadian businessman Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison on espionage charges, more than two years after the Canadian was first detained, along with fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig. The arrest of “the two Michaels,” as the Canadians have become known, followed the arrest in Vancouver of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on…


Meng Wanzhou Part of a ‘Coordinated Plan’ to Mislead HSBC: Lawyer

Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou’s actions were part of a “coordinated plan” that exposed international bank HSBC to risks of economic prejudice, penalties, and losses, said a lawyer for Canada’s attorney general. Robert Frater told the British Columbia Supreme Court that HSBC was entitled to make decisions about providing financial services based on “honest and…


Meng Wanzhou Part of a ‘Coordinated Plan’ to Mislead HSBC: Canadian Govt. Lawyer

Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou’s actions were part of a “coordinated plan” that exposed international bank HSBC to risks of economic prejudice, penalties, and losses, said a lawyer for Canada’s attorney general. Robert Frater told the British Columbia Supreme Court that HSBC was entitled to make decisions about providing financial services based on “honest and…