Canada: marches for Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, imprisoned in China
A man calls for the release of the two Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, imprisoned in China following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the number two of Huawei, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, on January 21, 2021, in Vancouver, where the hearings are held in the Chinese businesswoman's trial.
AP - DARRYL DYCK
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
This Sunday, September 5, it has been 1,000 days since the two Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are in prison in China, following their arrest by the authorities who accuse them of espionage.
This imprisonment took place after the arrest at Vancouver airport of the number two of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei in December 2018. Various marches in solidarity with the two Michael are taking place this Sunday around the world, as well as in several Canadian cities, on the initiative of their families and friends.
Meeting with the wife of Michael Kovrig who is still awaiting her sentence in a Beijing prison.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Quebec,
Pascale Guéricolas
This is the first time that relatives of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig have organized a public event in support of the two Canadians.
In Ottawa, participants will walk 5 kilometers in tribute to the 7,000 daily steps that Michael Kovrig takes in his cell every day.
His wife Vina Najibulla underlines the strength and resilience shown by the two men.
“
In one of her letters,
” she
says
, “
Michael said: 'We didn't choose what happens to us. However, we have the choice of how to deal with it.
This is exactly what he does.
"
►
See also: China: a Canadian sentenced to death on appeal for drug trafficking
"
Diplomatic solution
"
After a speedy trial in China, Michael Spavor was
sentenced to 11 years in prison
, and experts expect an
even worse sentence for Michael Kovrig
.
Their fate appears to be linked to that of Huawei number two, Meng Whanzou, whose extradition the United States is seeking to Canada.
This is why Vina Najibulla hopes for negotiations between states.
“
We need Canada, China and the United States to negotiate a diplomatic solution,
” she says.
This is what we have been asking them for several months and this is what we will continue to do with the new Canadian government.
"
On the Canadian side, a judge is due to announce in October when she will decide on the extradition or not of Meng Wanzhou.
►
To read also: Trial of two Canadians in China: a means of pressure for Beijing in the Huawei case
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Canada
China
Human rights