Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described on Wednesday the sentence China passed on businessman Michael Spavor over charges of espionage as "absolutely unacceptable and unjust."
"The verdict for Mr. Spavor comes after more than two and a half years of arbitrary detention, a lack of transparency in the legal process, and a trial that did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law," Trudeau stated.
Earlier in the day, China sentenced Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison for espionage. Former diplomat Michael Kovrig is waiting for a verdict for the same charges. The United States and the European Union condemned the decision and urged Beijing to release both men.
