Freed Canadians Seek Compensation from Government for China Imprisonment
-
Michael Kovrig is in talks with the Canadian government for a compensation package for his nearly 3 years in a Chinese prison. He says he will donate any money beyond lost income and costs to charity.
-
The government is reportedly offering around $3 million each to Kovrig and fellow prisoner Michael Spavor, but Spavor's lawyer is seeking $10.5 million alleging negligence by diplomats.
-
Spavor claims he was arrested for providing information to Kovrig, who shared it with Western spy agencies while working for Canada's intelligence program.
-
A watchdog report found the intelligence program lacked risk assessments and protocols to protect officers, appearing to reference Kovrig's arrest after he lost diplomatic immunity.
-
Spavor's bid for more compensation may be aided by the watchdog report, which was deliberately delayed until after the men were released from prison.