China has 119 Canadians detained in their prisons, the Department of Foreign Affairs wrote yesterday in a brief report.
Among those 119 are Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, the two Canadians jailed in retaliation for the arrest of Huawei’s Meng Wanzhou in December 2019. The figures, they admit, may be much higher, reports Blacklock’s Reporter.
“This figure represents only those individuals who have made their situation known to the Government of Canada,” the department wrote in brief report tabled in the Senate. “As such, comparisons with data from other sources should proceed with caution.”
119 Canadians were accounted for in prisons in China Hong Kong, or Taiwan, as of February 15, 2021.
Most arrested are on fraud or drug charges. Assistant Deputy Foreign Minister Heather Jeffrey would not provide information on any of the detainees, citing the Privacy Act. When asked where Spavor and Kovrig were currently being detained, she replied: “Due to the Privacy Act I’m not able to comment.”
Story cited here.
