Canadian diplomats have once again been kept out of court in Beijing where Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is on trial for alleged espionage.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the deputy head of the Canadian embassy in Beijing walked out of the small reception building of the court, empty-handed. “Despite the international agreement that China has signed, we will not get access,” Jim Nickel told the journalists present, who were repeatedly pushed away by uniformed agents.
Canada has an agreement with the Chinese that provides consular assistance in any court case. “We’ve been asked to enter the courtroom several times, but it keeps getting rejected,” Nickel said.
A court employee says there is a good reason for this. Sessions involving state secrets should not be publicly heard.
Huawei
Kovrig was detained in December 2018. According to China, he has extracted state secrets, although evidence has not been shared so far.
His detention followed the arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer in Canada. Meng Wanzhou suspected of violating US sanctions against Iran. According to prosecutors, she lied to banks about Huawei’s ties to the country. She has since been awaiting possible extradition to the United States.
In addition to Kovrig, Michael Spavor was also arrested. His case was filed Friday, but was adjourned after two hours. In both cases, critics say it involves retaliation for the Huawei driver’s arrest. Beijing denies that, but has indicated on several occasions that stopping the Huawei driver’s rendition process could provide room for a solution for the two Canadians. “Canada must end Meng Wanzhou’s arbitrary detention and return her to China,” said a Chinese foreign spokesman.
Support from diplomats
Dozens of diplomats from at least twenty countries had gathered at the court to show their support for the Canadians. In addition to the Canadian delegation, delegates from the United States, Australia and the European Union, among others, reported at the gate of Court Number Two on the southern outskirts of Beijing. Two Dutch diplomats were also present. They also did not receive any information about the progress of the process.
It was only hours after the hearing began that the Canadian Embassy received confirmation that Kovrig was indeed present in court and the case has started. “Arbitrary detention, a judicial process that is not transparent. We are very concerned about this,” said Nickel.
“The United States stands shoulder to shoulder with Canada and is calling for the immediate release of the two civilians in arbitrary detention,” said US diplomat Bill Klein.
10 years in prison
Whether and when a decision will be made remains unclear. Several diplomats have hinted that Beijing might want to wait until April, when the extradition case involving Meng Wanzhou must be settled.
The two Michaels wait at least ten years in prison. In extreme cases, this could amount to a life sentence. The chance of acquittal is nil: in the Chinese legal system, more than 99 percent of the suspects brought before trial are actually convicted.
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