It’s a top priority for Canada to get Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor released from custody in China as quickly as possible, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Saturday as she praised allies for their support.“We’re going to keep working with a broad group of allies to raise this issue,” Freeland said in a conference call with reporters, noting that Canadian ambassadors will be reaching out to governments across the world.Freeland thanked allies for speaking out after the U.S., the U.K. and the EU recently issued statements in support of Canada.Freeland said on the arrests of Kovrig and Spavor constitute a worrying precedent that has resonated with partners. The pair were detained by China in apparent retaliation for the arrest of a top Chinese tech executive.“We absolutely believe this is not only a Canadian issue,” Freeland said. “This is an issue that concerns our allies.”China arrested Kovrig, an ex-diplomat, and Spavor, an entrepreneur just days after Canadian authorities in Vancouver arrested Meng Wanzhou, a senior executive with Chinese firm Huawei Technologies, so she can be extradited to the U.S. to face fraud charges.Read more:Canadian Kovrig detained in China has no access to lawyer, his employer saysThird Canadian citizen detained in China, government saysDetails of ex-Canada diplomat’s detention in China revealedThe Chinese arrested Kovrig and Spavor on allegations of “engaging in activities that endanger the national security” of China.An official with Kovrig’s employer, Washington-based International Crisis Group, said on Saturday that Kovrig has been denied access to legal counsel while in custody.“Michael has not been allowed access to his lawyers,” Karim Lebhour said in an email. “The arrest is unjustified. We call for him to be released immediately, and at a minimum for him to be allowed regular consular access and to see his l ...
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