Chinese tabloid says detained Canadians linked by photos of military equipment

In this photo taken on Aug 11, 2021, images of Canadians Michael Kovrig (left) and Michael Spavor are shown at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing. - Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters): China's Global Times newspaper said on Thursday (Sept 2) that Canadian businessman Michael Spavor, who was convicted of espionage in August, provided photographs of military equipment to fellow Canadian Michael Kovrig, who is also detained in China.

The state-run newspaper, citing an unidentified source, said the photos and images Spavor took of the equipment were state secrets and he also provided the photos to people outside China. Spavor was a "key informant" for Kovrig, the newspaper said.