(ANSA) - WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 24 - Two Canadian citizens detained in China since 2018, Michael Kovrig and Michale Spavor, have been freed from Beijing and are about to return to their homeland. This is a few hours after the US reached an agreement to release Lady Huawei, Meng Wanzhou, who in turn is returning to China.
"The two Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, detained in China since 2018, have been released and are returning to Canada," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaupoco announced after Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou left Canada for China in following the liberation in Vancouver.
"A few minutes ago, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor left Chinese airspace to go home," Trudeau said at a news conference. "These two men have been through a terrible ordeal for more than 1,000 days. They have shown determination and resilience on a day-to-day basis and are an inspiration to us all," he added. "Since this is an operation currently underway - he concluded, addressing journalists - I cannot share further details".
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were arrested in December 2018 in China for espionage, causing an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Ottawa and Beijing.
Their detention was seen by Canada as a retaliatory measure following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou at the request of the United States.
The latter, under house arrest in Canada for nearly three years, left for China a few hours ago, immediately after being released under an agreement with the United States.
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