Detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig

The detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig occurred in December 2018, when the two Canadian men were taken into custody in the People's Republic of China. Their detention and subsequent indictment under the state secrets law is widely regarded as an act of retaliation against Canada for its arrest of Huawei telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou, and has been cited as an instance of hostage diplomacy. The pair is frequently and colloquially referred to as the Two Michaels.

Detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig

The detention of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig occurred in December 2018, when the two Canadian men were taken into custody in the People's Republic of China. Their detention and subsequent indictment under the state secrets law is widely regarded as an act of retaliation against Canada for its arrest of Huawei telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou, and has been cited as an instance of hostage diplomacy. The pair is frequently and colloquially referred to as the Two Michaels.