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Michael Kovrig: Canadian ex-diplomat 'held in China' | Michael Kovrig: Canadian ex-diplomat 'held in China' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Canadian, reported to be a former diplomat, has been detained in China and his current employer says it is working for his prompt release. | A Canadian, reported to be a former diplomat, has been detained in China and his current employer says it is working for his prompt release. |
The International Crisis Group said it was "aware of reports" of Michael Kovrig's detention. | The International Crisis Group said it was "aware of reports" of Michael Kovrig's detention. |
Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada is in direct contact with Chinese authorities concerning the case. | |
The news comes days after Canada arrested a top executive of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. | The news comes days after Canada arrested a top executive of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei. |
Mr Trudeau said the case is being taken "very seriously". Canada's foreign affairs ministry gave no further details about the incident or its talks with China. | |
Tensions between Canada and China have been high over the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, on Saturday 1 December. | Tensions between Canada and China have been high over the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its founder, on Saturday 1 December. |
Federal public safety minister Ralph Goodale told journalists in Ottawa that the government is "deeply concerned by the situation". | |
The minister said there is currently no "explicit indication" of any link between her arrest and Mr Kovrig's reported detention. | |
Mr Kovrig had previously worked as a diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the UN in New York. | Mr Kovrig had previously worked as a diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the UN in New York. |
Mr Kovrig has been working since February 2017 as North East Asia senior advisor for the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank that focuses on conflict reduction research. | Mr Kovrig has been working since February 2017 as North East Asia senior advisor for the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank that focuses on conflict reduction research. |
He worked with Canada's foreign affairs ministry between 2010 and 2016 and was posted in Hong Kong and Beijing between 2012 and 2016. | He worked with Canada's foreign affairs ministry between 2010 and 2016 and was posted in Hong Kong and Beijing between 2012 and 2016. |
Ms Meng faces extradition to the US on charges of fraud related to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran. | Ms Meng faces extradition to the US on charges of fraud related to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran. |
She could be jailed for up to 30 years if found guilty. | She could be jailed for up to 30 years if found guilty. |
China has demanded that Canada release Ms Meng or face consequences. | China has demanded that Canada release Ms Meng or face consequences. |
She is scheduled to appear on Tuesday in the Supreme Court of British Columbia for the third day of her bail hearing. | She is scheduled to appear on Tuesday in the Supreme Court of British Columbia for the third day of her bail hearing. |
Her husband has offered C$15m ($11m; £9m) - C$1m in cash and the couple's two homes in Canada - as surety for Ms Meng's release. | Her husband has offered C$15m ($11m; £9m) - C$1m in cash and the couple's two homes in Canada - as surety for Ms Meng's release. |
Canadian Crown prosecutors have asked for bail to be denied because they believe the wealthy executive poses a flight risk. | Canadian Crown prosecutors have asked for bail to be denied because they believe the wealthy executive poses a flight risk. |
China's foreign ministry also insisted on Tuesday that Canada failed to promptly notify Beijing immediately about Ms Meng's arrest, according to a state media report. | China's foreign ministry also insisted on Tuesday that Canada failed to promptly notify Beijing immediately about Ms Meng's arrest, according to a state media report. |