INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightInternational Crisis GroupImage caption
The International Crisis Group says it is working for Mr Kovrig's
release
A Canadian, reported to be a former diplomat, has been detained in China and his current employer says it is working
for his prompt release.The International Crisis Group said it was "aware of reports" of Michael Kovrig's detention.Prime Minister Trudeau
said Canada is in direct contact with Chinese authorities concerning the case
The news comes days after Canada arrested a top executive of the Chinese telecoms giant Huawei
Mr Trudeau said the case is being taken "very seriously"
Canada's foreign affairs ministry gave no further details about the incident or its talks with China
Tensions between Canada and China have been high over the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei's chief financial officer and daughter of its
founder, on Saturday 1 December.Federal public safety minister Ralph Goodale told journalists in Ottawa that the government is "deeply
concerned by the situation"
The minister said there is currently no "explicit indication" of any link between her arrest and Mr Kovrig's reported detention
Mr Kovrig had previously worked as a diplomat in Beijing, Hong Kong and at the UN in New York
Mr Kovrig has been working since February 2017 as North East Asia senior advisor for the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think
tank that focuses on conflict reduction research
He worked with Canada's foreign affairs ministry between 2010 and 2016 and was posted in Hong Kong and Beijing between 2012 and 2016.Ms
Meng faces extradition to the US on charges of fraud related to sanctions-breaking business dealings with Iran.She could be jailed for up to
30 years if found guilty.Image copyrightReutersImage caption
Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on 1 December
China has demanded that Canada release Ms Meng or face consequences
The judge said that Ms Meng would be under surveillance 24 hours a day and must wear an electronic ankle tag
She will be unable to go out between 2300 and 0600 and must surrender all passports and travel documents.She must return for her next court
