China: second Canadian Michael Kovrig's espionage trial has begun
The trials of the two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, accused of espionage by Beijing, have started in China.
The two men spent almost two years in incommunicado detention.
Here, protesters with their photos in front of the Supreme Court in Vancouver on March 6, 2019. AFP - JASON REDMOND
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
After more than 800 days of detention, the second of the two Canadians detained in China is on trial for espionage on Monday, March 22.
As with Michael Spavor on Friday March 19, Michael Kovrig's trial was held behind closed doors on the outskirts of Beijing.
Diplomats and journalists were unable to attend the hearing.
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With our correspondent in Beijing
,
Stéphane Lagarde
A rather peculiar litany in front of the Intermediate People's Court No. 2 of the Fengtai District in Beijing.
Diplomats list the names of their respective embassies.
In total, 26 countries, including France and Germany, came to support Canadian representation in this trial.
But the number does not change the case.
It is the same scenario as for the judgment of another Canadian national this Friday, March 19 in northeastern China.
Unable to attend the hearing of Michael Kovrig.
At the western entrance to the courthouse, there are jostling cameras and cameras.
On the peron, an official in uniform asserts in her mask that the case concerns "
national security
" and that therefore the trial is being held behind closed doors.
"
We are extremely concerned by this refusal to let us in, and by the lack of transparency of the entire judicial process,
" explains Jim Nickel, charge d'affaires of the Canadian Embassy.
A release that depends on the fate of the heiress of Huawei
Like Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig was arrested in China in December 2018, following the United States' request for extradition of
Meng Wanzhou
, the daughter of the founder of Huawei in Canada.
For many observers, if the conviction of the "
two Michael
" is not in doubt, their release depends on that of the heiress and financial director of the Chinese giant of telecoms.
►
To read: Trial of two Canadians in China: a means of pressure for Beijing in the Huawei case
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