China frees two Michaels jailed for over 1,000 days after Huaweis Meng cuts deal with U.S.
TORONTO - The two Canadians detained in China in what Western officials had called a blatant display of "hostage diplomacy" have been released from prison and are on their way to Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday.
The release of former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor - known here as "the two Michaels" - came hours after Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, reached a deal with the U.S. Justice Department in a criminal case allowing her to return to China.
The two men were detained several days after Canada arrested Meng on a U.S. extradition request.
"For the 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience and grace," Trudeau said in a news conference, "and we are all inspired by them."
