Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig detained in China

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig detained in China

HONG KONG: A former Canadian diplomat has been detained in China and his current employer, non-profit organization International Crisis Group (ICG), on Wednesday said it is seeking his immediate release. The ICG said in a statement that Michael Kovrig, who is ICG’s northeast Asia senior adviser, was detained on Monday night by the Beijing Bureau of Chinese State Security and called for his prompt and safe release, CNN reported.

Kovrig’s reported disappearance came in the wake of Canada detaining Meng Wanzhou, the Chief Financial Officer of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei, on December 1 in Vancouver. Tensions have been high between the countries since then. Meng was granted bail on Tuesday night. According to the ICG, Chinese authorities had not notified it of Kovrig’s detention and it was unaware of the reasons for his arrest. Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed the arrest and said that the non-profit for which he works in the country was not registered. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau said his officials were in direct contact with the Chinese authorities regarding Kovrig who has been working with the non-profit organisation since February 2017. US State Department deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said that Washington was concerned about the reports on Kovrig. (IANS)

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