Spavor, Kovrig To Appear In China Courts Friday, Monday After 830 Days Detention

Court hearings have been confirmed for Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig - the two Canada citizens detained in China for alleged spying.

Canada's foreign minister Marc Garneau said in a statement his embassy in Beijing notified him of the hearings. Spavor will appear first March 19 while Kovrig has to wait until March 22.

In a separate statement, spokesman for Global Affairs Canada, Jason Kung, said Spavor's hearing would be in Dandong, Liaoning province. Kovrig will appear in Beijing. It isn't known how long the hearings will last.

Garneau said Spavor and Kovrig's "detentions are arbitrary" and the ministry remains "deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding these proceedings."

China and U.S. officials are meeting in Alaska. Former Canada ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques said the "timing is not accidental." Saint-Jacques said China was sending a message to the U.S. before the summit.

It was crucial Canada officials appear at the hearings, according to professor at The George Washington University law school Donald Clarke. Clarke, who specializes in China law, said it may take several months or even years before a verdict.

Kovrig's wife Vina Nadjibulla said "it's still a lot to take in and it was emotional and hard to fully express what this means."

It has been 830 days since Spavor and Kovrig were arrested. Kovrig was accused of using a passport and business visa to "steal sensitive information" while Spavor is accused of providing "intelligence" to Kovrig.

China was accused of arresting Spavor and Kovrig as retaliation against the U.S. and Canada after the detention of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou - arrested in Vancouver around 10 days before Spavor and Kovrig. Meng was arrested on a U.S. warrant and is fighting extradition.