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Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were detained in China for more than 1,000 days, accused of espionage. They returned to Canada on Sept. 24, 2021

Evening Update: Hamas releases 24 hostages as truce with Israel takes hold in Gaza
The face of the newly released hostage, Peri Chana, 79, is projected onto the wall outside The Museum of Modern Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' on November 24, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Morning Update: Watchdog report on Global Affairs unit named in Michael Spavor’s case still unreleased three years after its completion
FILE PHOTO: People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo
opinion
Michael Spavor’s accusations are playing into Beijing’s hands
Watchdog report on Global Affairs unit named in Michael Spavor’s case still unreleased three years after its completion
People hold placards calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig outside a court hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
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Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland responds to a question from the Opposition after she delivered the 2023 Fall Economic Statement in the House of Commons, Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The two Michaels: Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor

Latest news and analysis about Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig

canada
Evening Update: Hamas releases 24 hostages as truce with Israel takes hold in Gaza
The face of the newly released hostage, Peri Chana, 79, is projected onto the wall outside The Museum of Modern Art known as the 'The Hostages and Missing Square' on November 24, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
canada
Morning Update: Watchdog report on Global Affairs unit named in Michael Spavor’s case still unreleased three years after its completion
FILE PHOTO: People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo
opinion
Michael Spavor’s accusations are playing into Beijing’s hands
Peter Humphrey
politics
Watchdog report on Global Affairs unit named in Michael Spavor’s case still unreleased three years after its completion
People hold placards calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig outside a court hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
canada
Take The Globe’s news quiz for the week ending Nov. 24
Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland responds to a question from the Opposition after she delivered the 2023 Fall Economic Statement in the House of Commons, Tuesday, November 21, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
opinion
More than anything, Michael Spavor was the victim of a coercive Beijing
Guy Saint-Jacques
opinion
When is a spy not a spy?
Peter Jones, Alan Jones and Laurie Storsater
politics
Canadian met with Global Affairs unit linked to two Michaels’ imprisonment before being detained by China in 2014
Kevin Garratt and his wife Julia pose for a portrait in the backyard of a home they're staying at after recently returning to Canada. The couple were doing Christian charity work in China near the North Korean border when they were detained by police and had been accused by Chinese authorities of stealing military and defence research secrets and charged with espionage. Kevin would spend almost two years in custody before being deported. (Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)
canada
Morning Update: Ottawa faces calls to strengthen oversight of Global Affairs unit that collects intelligence
FILE PHOTO: People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo
politics
Global Affairs faces calls for oversight after Michael Spavor’s allegations
FILE PHOTO: People hold signs calling for China to release Canadian detainees Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig during an extradition hearing for Huawei Technologies Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 6, 2019. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson/File Photo
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canada
Evening Update: China defends prosecution of Kovrig and Spavor; premature babies in Gaza evacuated to Egypt
Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor stand as they are recognized before President Joe Biden speaks to the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, Canada, Friday, Mach 24, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/Pool via AP)
canada
Morning Update: China decries Canada’s ‘hypocrisy’ after Spavor blames Kovrig for their detention
Michael Kovrig, a Canadian formerly detained in China, is calling on governments to have co-ordinated sanctions and travel bans on states who arrest foreigners for political reasons, through an effort Canada is co-leading to stop countries from feeling emboldened. Michael Spavor, centre left, and Kovrig, centre left, receive a standing ovation in the House of Commons prior to U.S. President Joe Biden's address of Parliament, in Ottawa, Friday, March 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
world
China decries Canada’s ‘hypocrisy’ after Spavor blames Kovrig for their detention
Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor stand as they are recognized before an address from U.S. President Joe Biden in the Canadian House of Commons on Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, Canada, Mach 24, 2023. Mandel Ngan/Pool via REUTERS
explainer
From the archives: What we know about Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig’s time in China
NW-NA-MICHAELS-1117 Murat Yükselir
canada
Spavor blames fellow prisoner Kovrig for Chinese detention, alleges he was used for intelligence gathering
Photo Illustration by the Globe and Mail/THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/AFP PHOTO / CRISISGROUP/JULIE DAVID DE LOSS
world
Canadians in China shrug off diplomatic spat, but fear worsening business environment
A security guard walks at the Canada's Consulate General, in Shanghai, China, May 10, 2023. REUTERS/Aly Song
world
China’s sweeping new anti-espionage law will make it easier to arrest foreigners
In this photo provided by the Dong family, Dong Yuyu stands at the gates of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass in May 2017. A veteran Chinese journalist who worked at a ruling Communist Party-affiliated newspaper and was a Harvard University fellow faces espionage charges after he was detained while meeting with a Japanese diplomat in a restaurant, his family said Monday. (Dong Family via AP)
canada
Michael Spavor breaks his silence after detention in China: ‘I’m overjoyed’
Canadian citizen Michael Spavor poses with his brother's dog Ziggy in Calgary, Canada September 30, 2021. Picture taken September 30, 2021. Spavor Family Handout/via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.
opinion
From one hostage to another: Advice to Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor
John McCarthy
world
Which Canadians are left in Chinese prisons? As Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are free, 115 more remain behind
politics
Homecoming of Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig a welcome relief for Canada, but China rift runs deep after their detention
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, accompanied by Canada's Ambassador to China, Domenic Barton, arrive after being released from detention in China, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada September 25, 2021. DND-MDN Canada/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES
politics
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor: After 1,020 days imprisoned in China, the two detainees arrive home in Canada
Released from China, Michael Kovrig is greeted by his wife Vina Nadjibulla, left and sister Ariana Botha, right, on the tarmac at Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ont. on Saturday, September 25, 2021. (J.P. Moczulski/The Globe and Mail)
world
Chinese newspaper claims Michael Spavor photographed Chinese military equipment
In this file image made from a March 2, 2017, video, Michael Spavor, director of Paektu Cultural Exchange, talks during a Skype interview in Yanji, China. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP Photo