Michael Kovrig arrest: Canadian held in China ‘not allowed to turn lights off ‘

Michael Kovrig was detained last week on accusations of harming national security.

Canada drew Chinese protests after it arrested an executive at telecoms giant Huawei at the request of the US.

China says it has guaranteed Mr Kovrig’s lawful rights.

“He’s not allowed to apply for bail and not allowed to see a lawyer,” one source told Reuters news agency, adding that Korvig was being held at an undisclosed location and being questioned every morning, afternoon and evening.

He is not allowed to turn off the lights when he tries to sleep at night, the person added.

“He is physically all right, but tired and stressed,” a source told the Financial Times. “Physically, he does not appear mistreated.”

China denied Mr Kovrig was being mistreated.

“We have already said that China has in accordance with the law guaranteed Michael Kovrig’s lawful rights and humanitarian treatment, and has provided Canada with necessary help to carry out normal consular work,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a press briefing, referring questions to the “relevant authorities”.

Canada only gained consular access to Mr Kovrig at a police station on 14 December, when he was visited for half an hour by the Canadian ambassador and two other Canadian diplomats, the sources said.

Meng extradition

Mr Kovrig was arrested at about 22:00 (14:00 GMT) on a Beijing street on 10 December, they added.

A second Canadian – Michael Spavor, a businessman – was detained along with Mr Kovrig last week and is facing the same accusations.

Canada arrested Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou earlier this month, at the request of the US, which is engaged in a trade war with China.

Ms Meng faces extradition to the US to face fraud charges linked to allegations of avoiding US sanctions on Iran. Each charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years jail.

China has denied the detention of both men is tied to Ms Meng’s arrest, but many analysts believe it was a tit-for-tat action.