Former Canadian diplomat arrested in China
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WASHINGTON- A Canadian former diplomat has been detained in China, the think tank where he now works said Tuesday, amid Beijing’s outrage over the arrest of a senior technology executive.
The International Crisis Group said it was aware of reports of the detention of Michael Kovrig, a Chinese-speaking expert who served as a Canadian diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the United Nations.
“We are doing everything possible to secure additional information on Michael’s whereabouts as well as his prompt and safe release,” the think tank said in a statement.
Kovrig went to work last year for the International Crisis Group, which is known for its research on peaceful solutions to global conflicts.
The arrest comes days after the chief financial officer of China’s global telecommunications giant Huawei was arrested in Canada and faces extradition to the United States, triggering a strong protest by Beijing, which called for her immediate release.
Meng Wanzhou’s detention comes after American authorities reportedly launched an investigation into suspected Iran sanctions by Huawei, which was already under scrutiny by US intelligence officials, who deemed the company a national security threat.
