China Spy Agency Detains Ex-Canadian Diplomat as Feud Brews
- Michael Kovrig detained by State Security, employer says
- Move comes shortly after Huawei CFO arrested in Canada
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The detention of a former Canadian diplomat by China’s spy agency just days after the arrest in Canada of a Huawei Technologies Co. executive signaled an escalation in the feud between the two nations, while raising new questions about the safety of foreigners doing business in China.
Michael Kovrig was detained by a branch of China’s Ministry of State Security during a visit to Beijing on Monday, his employer, the International Crisis Group, said in a statement. The Brussels-based non-profit said Wednesday it has received no information from Kovrig since his detention and was working to secure consular access to verify his health and safety.