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Mar 19, 2021 5:42 PM -

Trudeau denounces 'lack of transparency' as Canadian tried in China on spy charges

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Thursday, March 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced China's "lack of transparency" Friday following a brief trial for Michael Spavor, one of two Canadians detained by Beijing for more than two years.

Canada said its consular officials were refused permission to attend the proceedings against Spavor, an entrepreneur with North Korea-related business, who is accused by China of stealing state secrets.

Jim Nickel, the Canadian Embassy's deputy chief of mission, said he was told by Spavor's lawyer that the hearing ended at noon Friday after two hours.

No verdict was announced.

Nickel declined to give other details, citing rules on protecting Spavor's privacy.

A hearing for Michael Kovrig, a former Canadian diplomat, is scheduled for Monday.

At a news briefing in Ottawa, Trudeau said the arbitrary detentions of Spavor and Kovrig were completely unacceptable, "as is the lack of transparency around these court proceedings."

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