Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor has been Indicted on Espionage
Indictment
On Friday, June 19, 2020, "Chinese court officials said Mr. Kovrig had been indicted in Beijing on charges of espionage and “gathering state secrets and intelligence for foreign countries.” Mr. Spavor was indicted in Dandong, a northeastern city, on the similar charges of espionage and “illegally providing state secrets for foreign countries (Hernandez J.C., and Porter C., 2020).”
This month June, 2020, Kovrig's spouse is viral in the public Canadian media insisting that the best way to resolve this matter is for Canada to release a Chinese National (Huawei Executive) arrested, and charged facing extradition to the U.S. for Fraud and Breech of U.S. Sanctions on Iran. A prisoner swap, the 2 Michaels have been held in China since 2018, and face indictment charges (June 19, 2020).
Different Style of Government
Members of the public and others giving interviews slams China over the Canadians arrested, The People's Republic of China is run by a Socialist Communist Party and there is less tolerance for illegal behaviors involving race or class; most people internationally are familiar with China's structural governing process. It is difficult to understand why both Michaels would repeatedly visit China, and not know the risk involved for any behavior that can be interpreted as illicit/illegal...Therein sleeps the truth of this situation!
News of the Arrest
The Canadian media went viral with news of the arrest of both Michaels, saying this was in retaliation for the arrest of the Chinese National in Canada....we have no actual evidence of this, usually foreigners visiting countries aboard are expected to follow the rule of law in whichever country they visit. Canada is not unique in the current disposition with the arrest and indictment of both Michaels.. The question remains why were these 2 Canadian Nationals under scrutiny by the Chinese government?
Controversy
Some have suggested on public television, that other Chinese nationals need to be refused facilitation of Canadian resources, as punishment to gain leverage on the Chinese government. This to force China to release both Michaels...but similarly does Canada not have other nationals in China that could face same prosecution; if Canada even considers rebellion?
Two Sides of the Coin
Thousands or millions of people nationally and internationally, do go to China too work, study, visit, or live and do not leave with a bad experience; so it is difficult to see the situation without looking at both sides..
Consideration
Have anyone in the public bothered to ask China what they would like to do? Is it possible to try the 2 Michaels in Canada? What punishment would be reasonable for the 2 Michaels? Considering they are foreigners; and it does not make complete sense to pay for prisoners housing and security. The Huawei Executive is also accused of violating international laws, would China not want her prosecuted? Do remember Canada has been paying since 2018, for accommodation, security and other amenities; to ensure the Hauwei Executive is properly cared for while in Canada.
Does Prisoners swap means crime forgiveness? Canada, China and the U.S. do expect to place those individuals on trial to determine complete, partial, or no guilt and consequences. What punishment would be reasonable, in the case of the Huawei Executive? This situation is quite complicated, because it involves international diplomacy. It is not simply Canada's decision to make in the case of prisoner swapping!
If Canada, China and the U.S. simply ignore their citizens conduct while on foreign soil, what message does that send to others who travel aboard? Similarly, what message does prisoner swapping send to international countries and terrorist groups? Each country has to be careful that their own citizens do not face false imprisonment and torture by others, because these countries will do anything, or cir-cum to public pressures; without weighing the pros and cons of each situation, to reach a manageable end. Further, China is not to blame here, and we really ought to be more careful about what we say and how we say it...
Important to also consider that the public is not aware of those discussions taking place behind closed doors. We can speculate, but this does nothing to change the outcome. How can justice be served without ignoring diplomacy?
