China begins trial of detained Canadians

The trial of two Canadians detained on espionage charges begins today in China. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau said the embassy in Beijing „has been informed that court hearings for Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are scheduled to take place on March 19 and 22“. The two Canadians have been detained since December 2018 and were charged with espionage last June. „We believe these detentions are arbitrary and remain deeply concerned about the lack of transparency in these proceedings,“ Garneau said. Canadian officials provided consular support to Spavor and Kovrig and their families during „this unacceptable ordeal“, Canada’s foreign minister said.