Skip to Main content

3.78°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 19, 2021 3:33 PM -

Trial of Michael Spavor in China ends without verdict

Share On

trial-of-michael-spavor-in-china-ends-without-verdict

Michael Kovrig, left, and Michal Spavor are shown in these 2018 images taken from video. A state-owned publication in China says two Canadian men will "soon" receive their first trial after more than two years in detention. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP

A Chinese court says it will pronounce its sentence on detained Canadian entrepreneur Michael Spavor at a later date.

Spavor's trial on charges of spying and illegally sending state secrets abroad lasted just two hours today and was conducted behind closed doors.

Canadian consular officials were refused permission to attend.

Ten diplomats from eight countries, including the US, Britain and Australia, stood on the street opposite the courthouse in Dandong, China.

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig is due to go on trial on Monday.

The detention of the ``two Michaels'' is seen as retribution for Canada's role in detaining a Chinese tech executive wanted by the U.S.

Experts see little hope for their release so long as Meng Wanzhou continues to face charges.

Latest news

burnaby-rcmp-seek-public-help-after-100-000-bobcat-loader-stolen-in-north-burnaby

Burnaby RCMP seek public help after $100,000 Bobcat loader stolen in North Burnaby

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify two pickup trucks believed to be involved in the theft of a Bobcat loader valued at about $100,000 in North Burnaby. Police say the theft happened on the afternoon of Sunday, November 30, when two pickup trucks arrived near the intersection of Midlawn Drive and Westlawn Drive in the Brentwood area. One of the trucks was towing an empty flat deck trailer. A short time later, both vehicles were seen leaving the area with the Bobcat loader loaded onto the trailer. Investigators describe the first suspect vehicle as a dark-coloured pickup

richmond-rcmp-arrest-16-in-targeted-retail-theft-enforcement-operation

Richmond RCMP arrest 16 in targeted retail theft enforcement operation

Richmond RCMP say a targeted enforcement operation aimed at retail theft led to 16 arrests earlier this month, as police continue efforts to address repeat shoplifting and organized theft in the city. The arrests were made during a Project Boost and Bust operation carried out by frontline officers on December 13. The initiative is supported through the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program and focuses on high-theft retail locations across Richmond. Police say most of the individuals arrested do not live in Richmond, reinforcing concerns that retail theft in the city is frequently d

three-new-alberta-recall-petitions-target-mlas-as-total-climbs-to-26

AlbertaDec 23, 2025

Three new Alberta recall petitions target MLAs as total climbs to 26

Elections Alberta has approved three additional recall petitions against sitting members of the provincial legislature, bringing the total number of active recall efforts across the province to 26. The latest petitions target two United Conservative Party backbenchers, Ron Wiebe and Justin Wright, along with Opposition New Democrat MLA Peggy Wright, who serves as the party’s labour critic. With the new approvals, 24 of the 26 active petitions are aimed at UCP politicians, representing more than half of Premier Danielle Smith’s 47-member caucus. Petitioners seeking the removal of Wiebe and

IndiaDec 23, 2025

Patiala schools, railway station receive bomb threats; security stepped up

Several schools in Patiala district and the Patiala railway station were placed under heightened security on Tuesday after authorities received bomb threats through email, Punjab Police said. The threat follows similar warnings reported earlier in Amritsar and Jalandhar, raising concerns among parents and local residents. Police teams were immediately deployed to the affected schools and public locations, where thorough search operations were carried out as a precautionary measure. According to officials, the email claimed that explosive devices could detonate between 1:11 pm and 9:11 pm. As a

sooke-rcmp-seek-public-help-to-identify-suspects-in-counterfeit-currency-case

Sooke RCMP seek public help to identify suspects in counterfeit currency case

Sooke RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance as they investigate an alleged counterfeit currency transaction at a local gas station earlier this month. Police say two men attended the Chevron gas station at 6610 Sooke Rd. on December 20 shortly after 6:00 p.m., where a counterfeit $100 bill was allegedly used during a transaction. The incident was reported to police two days later, on December 22. The first suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30 years old, with brown hair and a beard. At the time, he was wearing a black North Face jacket. The second suspect is also de

Related News

Ontario lawyer linked to Ryan Wedding investigation released on bail ahead of extradition hearing

Ontario lawyer linked to Ryan Wedding investigation released on bail ahead of extradition hearing

An Ontario lawyer accused by U.S. authorities of assisting a major international drug trafficking network connected to former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been granted bail while awaiting an extradition hearing. Deepak Paradkar, a 62-year-old lawyer from Thornhill, Ont., was arrested last month as part of a cross-border investigation led by the FBI. U.S. prosecutors allege Paradkar played a significant role in supporting Wedding, who is accused of leading a violent criminal organization operating across North America. Court documents allege Paradkar advised Wedding in connection with t

Canada’s economy contracts in October as manufacturing and public sector activity slow

Canada’s economy contracts in October as manufacturing and public sector activity slow

Canada’s real gross domestic product declined by 0.3 per cent in October, according to new data from Statistics Canada, as weakness in manufacturing and parts of the public sector weighed on overall economic activity. The federal agency said goods-producing industries fell by 0.7 per cent during the month, with manufacturing responsible for nearly the entire drop. The slowdown follows earlier signs of easing demand and supply chain adjustments across several manufacturing subsectors. Public sector activity also declined, partly reflecting the impact of Alberta’s provincewide teachers’ st

Canada Post and postal workers’ union reach tentative labour agreements

Canada Post and postal workers’ union reach tentative labour agreements

Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers say they have reached tentative collective agreements that could bring an end to more than two years of labour tensions at the Crown corporation. The agreements cover both the Urban Postal Operations unit and the Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers unit, representing roughly 55,000 workers nationwide. The union’s national board has recommended members approve the deals, with ratification votes expected in early 2026. During the ratification process, both sides have agreed there will be no strike or lockout action, providing short-term labour

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital