Two Canadians confess guilt for crimes and depart China

Two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were released on bail for medical reasons before they departed China on a plane to Canada on Friday. 

After the confirmation from related departments and diagnosis of professional medical institutes and under the guarantee of the Canadian ambassador to China, Beijing No.2 Intermediate People's Court and the High People's Court of Liaoning Province decided to release them on bail in accordance with law.

Spavor, who was sentenced in August to 11 years in prison for espionage and illegal provision of China's state secrets to foreign entities, was found to have taken photos and videos of Chinese military equipment on multiple occasions and illegally provided some of those photos to people outside China. He also had personal property of 50,000 yuan ($7,700) confiscated and will be expelled.

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The photos and videos Spavor took during his stay in China have been identified as second-tier state secrets. 

Kovrig wrote analysis reports based on this information, which included several confidential state secrets and intelligence.

A court in Beijing opened the trial of former Canadian diplomat Kovrig over espionage charges on March 22. The verdict was said to be announced at a chosen time in accordance with the law.

The relevant departments detained, arrested the two Canadians in accordance with the laws and released them on bail based on the people's court's decision. Their legal right to defense and other litigation rights are fully protected. 

The two confessed to their crimes and wrote confession and repentance letters in their own handwriting. According to relevant authorities, the two defendants should strictly abide by the decision on bail. In case of violation, China can resume the trial of the alleged criminal acts.

Source:globalitimes

Editor: Crystal H

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