DHe has been on trial in China for espionage charges since Monday, Michael Kovrueg of Canada. The trial of the former diplomat, who had been detained for more than two years, began in Beijing. The area around the courthouse was cut down and Canadian diplomats were denied access to court. Canadian Embassy Charge D’Faires Jim Nickel said he was very concerned “due to lack of transparency” in the process.

The trial of Canadian businessman Michael Spoer, who, like Kowriga, was arrested in China in December 2018, had already begun on Friday in Dandong, northeast China. In June 2020, both Canadians were officially charged and charged with espionage.

Retaliation for arresting Chinese woman

Chinese officials’ actions against Kovrag and Powers have been causing diplomatic disputes between Canada and China for some time. His arrest in late 2018 was seen as retaliation for the incarceration of Meng Wenzhou, the top manager of Chinese Huawei in Canada a few days earlier – and as a leverage against the government in Ottawa.

The chief financial officer of the Chinese technology giant was arrested in Vancouver, Canada, under responsibility for the United States. Washington accused him of violating Iran sanctions and demanded his extradition. The proceedings of Meng’s extradition are now well advanced.