Canadian Michael Kovrig Describes 1,000 Days of Detention in China as Psychological Torture
Michael Kovrig, a Canadian citizen, spent over 1,000 days in Chinese detention on spying charges. He described his experience as psychological torture, involving solitary confinement, continuous interrogation, and minimal food. Kovrig’s detention was linked to the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Canada. He was released after US prosecutors dropped the extradition request for Meng. Kovrig shared his ordeal in an interview with CBC, detailing the harsh conditions he endured.
Detention Details
Kovrig was detained by Chinese authorities and returned home in 2021. He was put in solitary confinement for six months, continuously interrogated, and forced to survive on three bowls of rice per day. Kovrig described this as the most gruelling and painful experience of his life.
Diplomatic Tussle
Kovrig’s detention was part of a diplomatic conflict that began when Canadian authorities arrested Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, in Vancouver on US fraud charges. Kovrig was freed after US prosecutors dropped the extradition request for Meng.
Arrest and Conditions
Kovrig was arrested in Beijing on December 10, 2018, while walking home with his partner. He was handcuffed, blindfolded, and taken to a padded cell where he spent six months in isolation. Chinese authorities did not publicly disclose evidence against him or details of his trial.
Doubts Revealed
Michael Kovrig -: Michael Kovrig is a person from Canada who was kept in jail in China for a long time.
Detention -: Detention means being kept in a place, like a jail, and not being allowed to leave.
Psychological Torture -: Psychological torture means hurting someone’s mind and feelings very badly without physically hurting them.
Solitary Confinement -: Solitary confinement means being kept alone in a small room without seeing or talking to other people.
Interrogation -: Interrogation means being asked a lot of questions, often in a forceful way.
Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou -: Meng Wanzhou is a high-ranking official in a big Chinese company called Huawei. She was arrested in Canada.
Extradition -: Extradition means sending someone back to another country to face legal charges there.
CBC -: CBC stands for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which is a TV and radio company in Canada.