Beijing (CNN) The case against the two Canadians detained in the wake of the controversial arrest of a Huawei executive was revealed by China's Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission on Monday. In a statement described as a "major development" in the case, former diplomat Michael Kovrig was accused of gathering and stealing "sensitive information and other intelligence" in China since 2017. Businessman Michael Spavor is accused of providing intelligence to Kovrig, and is described as an "important contact" for the former diplomat. "Kovrig's alleged behavior of gathering and stealing secrets and other intelligence for a foreign power has seriously violated Chinese laws," the statement said. Both Kovrig and Spavor were detained by Chinese authorities in December shortly after Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada for possible extradition to the US.

Source: CNN March 04, 2019 12:27 UTC