Michael Kovrig: Latest News

All news where Michael Kovrig is mentioned

20.05.2022 / 04:55

Canada formally bans China’s Huawei, ZTE from 5G networks

Huawei and ZTE cannot be part of the development of the country’s 5G telecommunications network, the Canadian government announced Thursday.

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A closer look at MP Han Dong’s voting record on China

Toronto-area MP Han Dong is at the centre of a political firestorm following a Global News report that he allegedly spoke with a Chinese diplomat in 2021, advising Beijing to delay freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, according to two intelligence sources.

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Han Dong to sit as Independent MP following ‘serious’ allegations in new report

Han Dong announced Wednesday night he is leaving the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent member of Parliament.His remarks in the House of Commons came hours after Global News reported that Dong privately advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, according to two separate national security sources.“I have informed the prime minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party caucus that I will be sitting as an Independent at the conclusion of these remarks,” he said.“Mr. Speaker, I am in your hands as to what happens next.” Read more: Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources Dong emphatically denied the allegations against him in remarks directed both to the House and the families of Kovrig and Spavor, who were detained in China for over three years on allegations of espionage.“The allegations made against me are as false as the ones made against you,” he said, referring to Kovrig and Spavor.“Let me assure you, as a parliamentarian and as a person, I have never and would never advocate or support the violation of the basic human rights of any Canadian — of anyone, anywhere, period.”He broke down in tears as he concluded his remarks by thanking his family.

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Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources

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Trudeau belongs on Santa’s naughty list, alongside Chinese and Russian leaders: poll

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to land on Santa’s “naughty” list this holiday season — and they think he’s more likely to wake up to a lump of coal than Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a new Ipsos poll.Ipsos asked Canadians about whether a list of high-profile individuals — from political leaders, to CEOs, to celebrities — belong on Santa’s “nice” list or his “naughty” list.Canadians who responded to the survey said Trudeau was more likely to end up on the naughty list than the Chinese president, who heads the government that detained two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, for more than 1,000 days.The Chinese government has also been accused of committing genocide against the Uyghur population in the Xinjiang

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Trudeau reflects on two Michaels, military misconduct in year-end interview

From dealing with a belligerent Beijing, to an underwhelming result in a pandemic election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced a mix of successes and failures in 2021.

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Canada and China’s relationship status after Meng, 2 Michaels return home: it’s complicated

The Chinese government insists there is no connection between the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, and the return of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou. Much of the world, though, considers it a case of hostage diplomacy.

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Calls grow for feds to do more to help 100+ Canadians detained in China

In the wake of Beijing freeing Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, Ottawa is facing calls to do more for Canadians who remain behind bars in China. Abigail Bimman explains how loved ones of these prisoners are fighting to make sure they aren’t forgotten.

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UNGA 2021: Garneau thanks allies after 2 Michaels released from Chinese prison, returned to Canada

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, Federal Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau thanked Canada’s international allies after Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were released from Chinese prison. The two were returned to Canada, following a deferred prosecution agreement in the case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

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Canada, China trade barbs at UN General Assembly over 2 Michaels, Meng Wanzhou

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who returned to Canada after nearly three years in Chinese detention. China continues to deny retaliatory arrests, freed 2 Michaels for health reasons The announcement of their release by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday night came hours after a deferred prosecution agreement in the case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, who was accused of committing fraud in order to circumvent U.S.

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Canada-China relations remain uncertain after Michaels, Meng Wanzhou released

The release of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and the return of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig has ended a tense chapter in Canada-China relations. But, is it enough to repair the deeply damaged relationship between the two? Eric Sorensen looks at the geopolitical implications and the uncertainty that lies ahead.

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The 2 Michaels are home. But what about the 115 Canadians still detained in China?

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor on Saturday as the two returned home following nearly three years spent in apparent arbitrary detention in China.Heartwarming images and video surfaced of the two reuniting with their families. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday called their homecoming “good news for all of us,” noting that they had both gone through an “unbelievably difficult ordeal.”But as of Sunday at least 115 Canadians remain in custody in Chinese prisons, Global Affairs Canada said in an emailed statement to Global News.

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‘Free at last’: Canadian Michael Kovrig, wife speak about emotional return from China

Michael Kovrig is delighted to be back in Toronto and reunited with his family.Kovrig, a former diplomat, along with businessman Michael Spavor, touched down on home soil on Saturday following their release from China – in an apparent prisoner swap after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was allowed to return to Shenzhen following a plea deal with the U.S.

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Michael Kovrig returns home, and Garneau on the deal to free the two Michaels

‘The West Block’ host Mercedes Stephenson speaks with Michael Kovrig, his wife Vina Nadjibulla and sister Ariana Botha just hours after Kovrig touched down on Canadian soil after 1,020 days in a Chinese prison.

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Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor arrive in Canada following release from Chinese prison

Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have landed safely back in Canada after spending more than 1,000 days in detention in China. The two men arrived in Calgary on Saturday morning after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday night that they were on their way back.

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Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor return to Canada after release from China

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have landed safely back in Canada after spending more than 1,000 days in detention in China.The two men landed in Calgary on Saturday morning, Global News has confirmed. Could release of 2 Michaels, Meng Wanzhou thaw Canada-China relations? Experts are mixed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday night that the two men had been released and were on their way back having boarded a plane with Canada’s ambassador to China Dominic Barton.Trudeau made the announcement hours after Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou was released from house arrest in Vancouver and allowed to return home to China after securing a deal to drop U.S.

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Trudeau says Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig ‘on their way home’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday night that Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadians detained in China for more than 1,000 days had been released and were on their way home. Their detainment came just days after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada over an extradition request by the U.S.

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Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor freed from China after Meng Wanzhou released: Trudeau

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are on their way back to Canada after spending over 1,000 days in detention in China.Trudeau said the two Canadians boarded a plane Friday night with Canada’s ambassador to China Dominic Barton. The plane is expected to land in Canada Saturday morning.“These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal,” Trudeau said.“It is good news for all of us that they are on their way home to their families.” Meng Wanzhou to fly to China Friday night after being released by B.C.

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Trudeau defends handling of China and 2 Michaels, says can’t be ‘lobbing tomatoes across the Pacific’

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau defended his government’s handling of China and the detainment of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor when challenged by Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole, saying “you can’t be lobbing tomatoes across the Pacific.” Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet also challenged Trudeau, saying while people can’t be “throwing tomatoes” as a solution, he said the Liberal leader’s record on human rights is “not perfect.”

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Singh not critical of Trudeau’s handling of 2 Michaels detained in China

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he was not critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of the two Michaels case, as Sunday marked 1,000 days of detention of the Canadian men in China.Singh made the comments during an interview with The West Block’s Mercedes Stephenson on Sunday in Quebec City, Que. Families and supporters of Kovrig and Spavor mark 1,000 days in detention Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in China in December 2018 in what is largely viewed as retaliation for the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou for extradition to the United States on fraud charges.On Aug.

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Process to free 2 Michaels from Chinese detention will take ‘a long time’: Trudeau

two Canadians who have been detained in China for over two-and-a-half years, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday.Speaking virtually at the Ryerson Democracy Forum at Ryerson University, Trudeau defended the “quiet diplomacy” approach Canada has taken to try and secure the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been accused by Beijing of spying.“The approach on consular cases like this one, unfortunately, takes quite a long time and we don’t always get to talk about what is going on,” he said. “Much of this is wrapped up in global diplomacy, quiet pressures.“Right now the situation seems very, very locked in.

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Trudeau says process to free 2 detained Michaels in China takes ‘long time’

When asked about the two Canadian Michaels detained in China for over two years, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday the approach on consular cases like this one takes a long time in terms of bringing them home and the government cannot always publicly talk about the status of what’s going on.

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Trial for detained Canadian Michael Kovrig ends in Beijing, verdict to be announced later

Frustration from Canadian officials mounts as the trial of Michael Kovrig, one of two Canadians detained in China over spying charges, ended on Monday with the verdict to be announced at an unspecified later date. Abigail Bimman reports.

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Canadian diplomat says they were denied access to Kovrig trial again as hearing gets underway

Canadian charge d’affaires Jim Nickel said on Monday in Beijing that they were again denied access to the trial of Michael Kovrig, who has been detained in China for more than two years, saying that the court process is “not transparent” and they were “very troubled by this.” He also gave thanks to the 28 representatives from 26 countries who were with him as he and U.S. diplomat Bill Klein attempted to gain access to the trial.

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Michael Kovrig’s trial set for Monday in Beijing

Canadian Michael Kovrig is set to stand trial on Monday for espionage charges, after spending more than two years detained in China in a move widely seen as retaliation for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou’s arrest in Vancouver.

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2nd Canadian goes on trial in China on spying charges

BEIJING – A second Canadian citizen held for more than two years on spying charges in apparent retaliation for Canada’s arrest of a senior executive of the telecoms giant Huawei went on trial in Beijing on Monday.

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Two Michaels face ‘excruciating’ wait for Chinese verdict: former detained Canadian

Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are likely grappling with what one former detained Canadian who faced the Chinese court process during his own two-year detention described as an “excruciating” wait. In an interview with The West Block‘s Mercedes Stephenson, Kevin Garratt said the lack of transparency combined with threats of execution during his years in Chinese prison and court.

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Awaiting the verdict in Michael Spavor’s case in China

A Chinese court did not deliver a verdict in the case of detained Canadian Michael Spavor. He’s been held for more than two years in what is widely-viewed as retaliation for Canada’s detention of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.

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2 Michaels: What comes next after Michael Spavor’s trial ends in just two hours?

The trials for two detained Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, are underway in China. While Kovrig’s trial is scheduled for Monday, Spavor appeared before the Chinese courts last night.

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Michael Spavor’s trial ends without verdict, Canadian officials barred from attending

China took place behind closed doors, lasted just two hours and ended without a verdict, according to multiple local reports Friday.Canadian officials were barred from attending the trial of Michael Spavor, who was being tried in the Chinese city of Dandong on espionage charges after over two years in detention.Officials will also be barred from attending the upcoming trial of Michael Kovrig, a second Canadian who has been held for the same charges, Global Affairs Canada confirmed Thursday.The development comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau confirmed on Wednesday that the Canadian Embassy in Beijing has been notified of the court dates for Spavor and Kovrig.

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Two Michaels about to stand trial in China

Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are about to stand trial in China, where they’ve been detained for more than two years. Abigail Bimman explains the odds of convictions, and what the timing of the trials could mean.

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China to open 1st trial of Canadians held on spy charges

DANDONG – China was expected to open the first trial Friday for one of two Canadians who have been held for more than two years in apparent retaliation for Canada’s arrest of a senior Chinese telecom executive.

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Newspaper: China to soon try 2 Canadians on spying charges

BEIJING – A Communist Party newspaper says China will soon begin trials for two Canadians, who were arrested two years ago in apparent retaliation for Canada’s detention of a senior executive for Chinese communications giant Huawei Technologies.

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Canada will not be pressured to release Meng Wanzhou, Trudeau says

Justin Trudeau says Canada will not be pressured to release Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou just because China has detained two of its citizens.Trudeau’s remarks were according to a transcript of a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s Chuck Todd and Meet the Press, which was provided to Global News. The interview is set to air on Sunday.The two Canadian men — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — were arrested in China in 2018 on espionage charges, shortly after Meng was arrested by authorities in British Columbia on an extradition charge from the U.S.

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Pandemic diplomacy: Trudeau to meet virtually with U.S. secretary of state

Antony Blinken will visit virtually with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau as part of the Biden administration’s post-Trump fence-mending campaign.Blinken’s “virtual trips” to Canada and Mexico mark the secretary’s first bilateral video conferences since taking office.The visit follows up on Trudeau’s own virtual summit this week with the U.S. president, which produced a “road map” for collaboration on issues like climate change, the economy and COVID-19.

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Biden calls on China to release Michael Kovrig, Michael Spavor

Following a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday, U.S. President Joe Biden called upon China to release two Canadians still being held in detention in China: Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

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‘Human beings are not bartering chips’: Biden calls for China to release 2 Michaels

Joe Biden said Canada and America will work together to secure the safe release of two Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — detained in China.Biden’s remarks came after a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Tuesday afternoon.“Human beings are not bartering chips,” Biden told reporters. “We’re going to work together until we get their safe return.

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China hits Canada for statement against arbitrary detention

BEIJING – China lashed out at Canada on Thursday for joining the U.S. and 56 other countries in endorsing a declaration denouncing state-sponsored arbitrary detention of foreign citizens for political purposes.

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Kamala Harris pledges ‘solidarity’ over 2 Michaels detained in China in call with Trudeau

Justin Trudeau, U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris “expressed strong solidarity” with Canada on the detainment of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, two Canadian citizens arbitrarily detained in China in 2018.An official readout of Monday’s call from the White House said Harris “made clear that the United States would continue to do everything it can to secure their release.”The two Michaels were detained in December of 2018 in what is widely viewed as retaliation for the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei’s chief financial officer.

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What’s ahead for Canada-U.S. relations during Joe Biden’s presidency

As President Joe Biden takes office, his administration poses new opportunities – and challenges – for Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. From the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline to detention of the Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in China, Mercedes Stephenson explains what may be in store for Canada-U.S.

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Germany appeals for 2 Michaels’ release at final UN meeting, China says ‘good riddance’

Germany’s U.N. envoy, during his last scheduled U.N.

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Canada will ‘pursue every avenue’ to bring the ‘Two Michaels’ home, Trudeau says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday commented on the continued detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been arbitrarily detained by Beijing for more than two years, saying China’s approach is “harming its own interests,” but that Canada “will continue to pursue every avenue to bring the two Michaels home as soon as possible.”

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Trudeau welcomes end of 2020, predicts good news for Canada’s foreign relations

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is looking ahead to 2021, and what it means for Canada’s foreign relations. Mercedes Stephenson sat down with Trudeau to discuss the fate of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in China, and the Keystone XL pipeline project, which U.S.

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Kovrig, Spavor have been indicted, tried after 2 years in prison, China says

Michael Kovrig draws strength from knowing that his fellow Canadians and people around the world are working to free him and Michael Spavor from their respective Chinese prison cells.As much as that matters, Kovrig’s wife Vina Nadjibulla says he is also subjecting himself to a strict regimen to strengthen his mind and body because he views that as the key to his survival.

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Conservative MP dismisses China’s COVID-19 ‘excuse’ barring access to detained Canadians

China can no longer credibly use the “excuse” of COVID-19 to continue keeping Canadian diplomats from visiting Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, the Conservative foreign affairs critic says.Conservative MP Michael Chong also says this past week’s virtual consular visits to Kovrig and Spavor should have happened much sooner.“COVID-19 is an excuse that doesn’t hold water,” Chong said in an interview Sunday. China denies Canadians ‘arbitrarily’ detained in response to Meng Wanzhou arrest “The economy in China has largely reopened,” he added.

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Champagne butts heads with Lebanon, China on 1st overseas trip since start of pandemic

Lebanon and China, capping a bubble-bursting, four-country tour amid an unprecedented global pandemic.Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne met face to face Thursday with Lebanese President Michel Aoun in Beirut, exhorting him to bend to the will of his country’s “street” and heed their calls for reform.A day earlier in Rome, Champagne crossed paths, unexpectedly, with his Chinese counterpart, the hard-nosed Wang Yi, and told him in no uncertain terms that Canada has the world’s liberal democracies on its side as he ratcheted up his push for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.

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Caving to China’s demand to release Meng Wanzhou would put Canadians in danger: Trudeau

Justin Trudeau says heeding a recent call from some prominent Canadians to politically intervene to end the extradition proceedings against Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou “will imperil thousands of Canadians travelling in China and around the world.”More than a dozen former federal cabinet ministers and diplomats signed a letter earlier this week urging Trudeau to have his justice minister order an end to the proceedings, which are moving along under the terms of the extradition treaty between Canada and the U.S.

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China says Kovrig, Spavor may be freed if Canada ends Meng Wanzhou case

China has explicitly tied the fate of two detained Canadians to the release of Meng Wanzhou, joining the growing calls for Ottawa to intervene in the Huawei executive’s extradition.In a media briefing Wednesday, Zhao Lijian, the spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, cited comments made by Michael Kovrig’s wife to the CBC and Reuters saying Canada’s justice minister has the power to end Meng’s extradition to the United States “at any point.”“Such options are within the rule of law and could open up space for resolution to the situation of the two Canadians,” Zhao said, referring to Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have now been detained for over 550 days.

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United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0