A Canadian ex-diplomat detained by China has been accused of stealing state secrets for overseas entities helped by another Canadian citizen, according to Chinese state media.
Michael Kovrig was working for a non-profit organisation when he was detained in Beijing last December on suspicion of carrying out activities that harmed the China's national security.
It is said that the intelligence had been passed onto Kovrig by Canadian businessman, Michael Spavor, who was also detained by China in December.
Michael Kovrig (pictured) has been accused of stealing state secrets for overseas entities by China, according to Chinese state newspaper Global Times citing a relevant government body
The Chinese authorities alleged that Kovrig had obtained state secrets and intelligence from another Canadian citizen Michael Spavor (pictured), who was also detained in December
Chinese authorities claimed that they had achieved a breakthrough in the investigation of Kovrig's case, according a report on state-run Global Times today, citing information released by a relevant government body.
Kovrig has been accused of stealing and spying on state secrets and intelligence from China for overseas entities through his contacts inside China.
Authorities alleged that Kovrig had carried out such activities since 2017 by entering China with an ordinary passport and business visas.
Michael Spavor, a Canadian businessman who was also detained on suspicion of harming China's national security, is said to have been 'an important contact' for Kovrig and provided intelligence for him.
The article claimed that Kovrig's behaviour had 'seriously violated the Chinese law' and that China 'will resolutely crack down on any illegal and criminal activities that seriously endanger national security'.
The relevant government body also promised to provide Kovrig and Spavor's legal rights, the article said.
The arrests of the two Canadians came after Meng Wanzhou, a top Chinese executive, was arrested in Canada on December 1 last year at the request of the United States.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump denounced China's 'arbitrary detention' of two Canadians during a telephone call last month, officials said.
The arrests of the two Canadians came after Meng Wanzhou (pictured), a top Chinese executive, was arrested in Canada on December 1 last year at the request of the United States
The arrest of Meng, the CFO of Chinese tech-giant Huawei, has sparked political tensions between China, Canada and the United States. Meng is awaiting extradition proceedings
Washington accuses Huawei of using a Hong Kong shell company to sell equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions. Meng is facing extradition to the United States.
The arrest of Meng has sparked ongoing political tensions between China, Canada and the United States.
Another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, was sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking last month amid the diplomatic row after the court changed his original 15-year jail sentence.
China has not drawn a direct link between its detention of the two Canadians and Meng's arrest, but Beijing-based Western diplomats have called the cases a tit-for-tat reprisal.
Last month, more than 100 academics and former diplomats are calling on China to release Kovrig and Spavor in a letter addressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The letter says the arrests of the two Canadians sends a worrisome signal to those who work in policy and research in China.
Another Canadian, Robert Lloyd Schellenberg (pictured), was sentenced to death in China for drug trafficking last month. The court had changed its original 15-year jail sentence
It notes Kovrig is a former diplomat who was working as an expert on Asia for the International Crisis Group think tank. It notes that Spavor devoted his time to building relationships between North Korea and China, Canada and United States.
It praises Kovrig and Spavor as bridge-builders between China and the world and said their arrests make writers 'more cautious' about travelling to China.
The International Crisis Group, the organisation Kovrig works for, said they were aware of the report but had not heard any official charges laid against Kovrig.
A spokesperson from the Brussels-based non-profit said: 'Michael's work for Crisis Group has been entirely transparent and in the open as all who follow his work can attest.'
The spokesperson added: 'Vague and unsubstantiated accusations against him are unwarranted and unfair.'
On the other hand, Meng has sued the Canadian government, its border agency and the national police force over her arrest as the United States continues their bid to get her extradited to face charges
Meng claimed that the Canadian authorities had detained, searched and interrogated her before telling her she was under arrest.
Lawyers for Meng said yesterday that they filed a notice of civil claim in the British Columbia Supreme Court.
Meng is out on bail and living in Vancouver awaiting extradition proceedings.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/04/china-accuses-detained-canadians-of-stealing-state-secrets/
Main photo article A Canadian ex-diplomat detained by China has been accused of stealing state secrets for overseas entities helped by another Canadian citizen, according to Chinese state media.
Michael Kovrig was working for a non-profit organisation when he was detained in Beijing last December on suspicion of ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/04/12/10555628-6768821-image-a-1_1551703968451.jpg
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