Canadian Michael Spavor has been found guilty of espionage and sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Chinese court in a verdict that will further test the strained relationship between the Canadian and Chinese governments. Canada's Chargé d'affaires Jim Nickel speaks at the Canadian embassy in Beijing Wednesday as a court in Dandong ruled on Spavor's case. In a statement, Spavor's family said they disagreed the charges and said the next step is to "bring Michael home. WATCH | Former diplomat discusses impact of Spavor's sentence:The potential impact of Michael Spavor’s sentence 2:56 Ben Roswell, former diplomat and president of the Canadian International Council, talks about the impact Michael Spavor’s sentencing will have on Michael Kovrig and China’s political positioning with Canada. 2:56The Spavor verdict arrived just over 24 hours after a different Chinese court upheld a death sentence for Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian convicted on charges of drug smuggling.

Source: CBC News August 10, 2021 21:18 UTC