China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has confirmed that Chinese police have arrested two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, for alleged espionage.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lu Kang said at a recent press conference that Michael Kovrig is charged for alleged spying on China’s State secrets and information, and Spavor for allegedly stealing China’s State secrets and illegally providing them to persons outside China. No official source has revealed any detail about the two cases, but some media reports said that Kovrig works with the International Crisis Group which the Foreign Ministry says is not registered with Chinese authorities. According to law, unregistered non-governmental organizations are not allowed to do business or launch activities in China.
Spavor was detained after Kovrig. Media said that he was a major information provider to Kovrig. According to Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, Spavor established a culture and tourism company in Dandong, a city bordering North Korea in Liaoning Province, and allegedly has a deep relationship with Pyongyang.
Old Version
