China says detained former Canadian diplomat does not have diplomatic immunity | World News, The Indian Express

China says detained former Canadian diplomat does not have diplomatic immunity | World News, The Indian Express

By Reuters |Beijing |Updated: January 14, 2019 4:34:30 pm

China says detained former Canadian diplomat does not have diplomatic immunity

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday chastised China over the detention of two Canadians following the arrest of a senior Chinese executive at the request of the United States.

In this file image made from a video taken on March 28, 2018, Michael Kovrig, an adviser with the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based non-governmental organization, speaks during an interview in Hong Kong. China says former Canadian diplomat Kovrig detained in China last month does not enjoy diplomatic immunity. (AP)

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, being held in China on suspicion of endangering national security, is not entitled to diplomatic immunity, China’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday chastised China over the detention of two Canadians following the arrest of a senior Chinese executive at the request of the United States.

Trudeau also accused China of “not respecting the principles of diplomatic immunity”in one of the cases.

Asked about Trudeau’s comments, China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said that the “relevant Canadian person” should “earnestly study” the Vienna Convention before speaking, so as to “not become a laughing stock”.

1m 25s

13 Canadians detained in China since December: Canada

Canada says that 13 of its citizens have been detained in China since Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested last month in Vancouver at the request of the United States.

A man holds a sign calling for China to release Wang Bingzhang and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig, at the B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, Canada. (Reuters)

“No matter how you look at it, Michael Kovrig does not have diplomatic immunity under the Vienna Convention,” she said.