03/12/2024

Canadian Entrepreneur Michael Spavor Reaches $7 Million Settlement Following Detention in China

Michael Spavor, the Canadian entrepreneur who was detained in China for over 1,000 days, has reached a $7 million settlement with the Canadian government following his release in September 2021. This settlement is a result of the ordeal that Spavor, along with fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig, endured after being detained by Chinese officials in December 2018, in what was widely seen as retaliation for Canada's arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. The resolution of the matter was confirmed by John Philips, Spavor's lawyer, who stated that the settlement had been reached between Spavor and the federal government. However, there was no confirmation on whether compensation had been provided to Kovrig, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasizing the need for confidentiality in this regard. Both Spavor and Kovrig, who were convicted of spying in closed Chinese courts in 2021, spent more than three years in prison before being released. Throughout their detention, the Canadian government consistently maintained that their arrests were arbitrary and unjust. Trudeau reiterated Canada's commitment to supporting Kovrig and Spavor as they seek to rebuild their lives following their traumatic experience in Chinese custody. He made it clear that the assistance provided by the Canadian government did not imply any involvement in espionage activities on behalf of Canada in China. The situation surrounding Spavor and Kovrig's detention further strained the already tense relations between Canada and China. The Canadian ambassador to China expressed concerns that a foreign interference inquiry into the matter could make Beijing uncomfortable, highlighting the impact of geopolitical tensions on the lives of individuals caught in the crossfire. Global Affairs Canada condemned China's arbitrary detention of Spavor and Kovrig as unjust and unacceptable, vowing to continue supporting the two Canadians in their efforts to move forward from the trauma caused by their detention in China. Trudeau criticized China's political motives behind the arrests, denouncing the use of individuals as pawns in larger geopolitical games with no justifiable reason. He underscored the need for accountability and justice in such cases to prevent the arbitrary targeting of individuals for political gain. The settlement between Spavor and the Canadian government marks a step towards closure for the entrepreneur after years of uncertainty and hardship. As Spavor and Kovrig seek to rebuild their lives, the resolution of this case serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges in international relations and the human cost of geopolitical maneuvering.