Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebot
This means the Michaels were actual spies, what I am gathering from this article, and they weren't just detained in a vacuum?
Definitely puts the whole thing in perspective.
|
They were never just "detained in a vacuum", it was purely political. "Hostage diplomacy". Canada detained Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the US, whom had submitted a formal extradition request to Canada alleging Meng violated sanctions against Iran and committed fraud to do so. In direct retaliation the Chinese detained Spavor and Kovrig, and held them indefinitely, until Meng was released from house arrest, the extradition request to the US dropped, and a deferred prosecution agreement reached. As soon as that happened Spavor and Kovrig were released.
Classic hostage diplomacy.