INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Image copyrightAFPImage caption
Michael Spavor (left) helped arrange ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman's trip to North Korea
in 2013
Canada's foreign ministry says it is trying to make contact with a second Canadian who is believed to have been
Michael Spavor, a businessman based in Dandong near the North Korean border, had contacted Canadian officials this week to say he was
diplomat Michael Kovrig was arrested in China this week.Canadian officials say the reason for Mr Kovrig's detention remains unclearBut
Chinese state media have reported that Mr Kovrig is being held "on suspicion of engaging in activities that harm China's state
security".Mr Kovrig currently works for a think thank, the International Crisis Group (ICG), which has said it is concerned for his health
and safety.At a news conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said Mr Kovrig's case had been raised directly
with Chinese officials.Image copyrightAFPImage caption
Michael Kovrig was working for a think tank that focuses on
conflict reduction research
She also said a second Canadian had contacted them earlier in the week because "he was being
asked questions by Chinese authorities".She did not name the individual, saying it was "delicate situation" and she wanted to respect his
confirmed on Thursday that, as with the previous arrest, Mr Spavor was under investigation on suspicion of "engaging in activities that
endanger China's national security".Mr Spavor runs an organisation called Paektu Cultural Exchange, which organises business, culture and
tourism trips to North Korea
Image copyrightAFPImage caption
Mr Spavor met North Korea's Kim Jong-un during his 2013 visit to Pyongyang
He is a regular visitor to North Korea and regularly comments in the media on Korean issues
He is particularly well known for helping to arrange the visit by former NBA star Dennis Rodman to North Korea in 2013
Rodman is a personal friend of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un
His last tweet, on Sunday, said he was about to travel to Seoul in South Korea, but he did not arrive on Monday as planned
The detentions have come after Canada arrested Chinese telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou last week.Ms Meng is the chief financial officer of
Huawei, one of China's biggest telecoms companies, and the daughter of its founder
She was arrested at the request of the US and is accused of violating sanctions on Iran
Meng, and has threatened unspecific consequences.Canada has said there is currently no "explicit indication" of any link between her arrest
and Mr Kovrig's detention.
