The trial of the former Canadian diplomat Michael Covring, imprisoned for over two years in China, as accused of “espionage, Began today in Beijing, announced a senior official of the Canadian embassy.
The hearing began three days after the opening, in Dandong (northeast), of that of his compatriot Michael Speiver, which ended after about two hours, without the verdict being made public.
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The two Canadians were arrested in December 2018, following the arrest in Canada of the chief financial officer and daughter of the founder of the Chinese giant telecommunications equipment industry Huawei, at the request of the United States.
Ottawa accuses Beijing of arresting the two Canadians in retaliation, something that Beijing denies, reports AMPE.
As in Mr. Speivor’s trial on Friday, envoys from the Canadian embassy in China were not allowed to attend the hearing.
Executive of the people’s court no. 2 of Beijing, where Michael Kovrig is on trial, told the press that as the case is linked to Chinese “national security”, the public is not allowed to watch it.
“We are very concerned about the denial of access and the lack of transparency of the entire judicial process,” said Canadian Embassy Commissioner Jim Nickel as soon as he learned he would not be allowed into the courtroom shortly after 09:00 (03:00 Greek time), the time when the trial would begin.
However, he welcomed diplomats from 26 countries, including Germany, the United States, France and Britain, out of court.
The diplomats posed for photos in front of the building before applauding and applauding Mr. Nickel, who went to thank them for their support in Canada.
The Canadian chargé d’affaires noted that he expected the trial to last until the afternoon (local time).
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