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Michael Kovrig: Canadian ex-diplomat 'held in China' | Michael Kovrig: Canadian ex-diplomat 'held in China' |
(35 minutes later) | |
A former Canadian diplomat has reportedly been detained in China and his current employer says it is working for his "prompt and safe release". | A former Canadian diplomat has reportedly been detained in China and his current employer says it is working for his "prompt and safe 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. |
Details are not yet clear. The news comes days after Canadian authorities arrested a top executive of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei in Vancouver. | |
It is not known if there is a link between the two cases. | |
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. | |
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. |
Canada's ministry of foreign affairs has not confirmed the report by Reuters news agency, which cited two unnamed sources. | Canada's ministry of foreign affairs has not confirmed the report by Reuters news agency, which cited two unnamed sources. |
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. | |
She could be jailed for up to 30 years if found guilty. | |
China has demanded that Canada release of 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. | |
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. | |
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. |