A Canadian businessman who was simply reported to be missing has been arrested in China on suspicion of harming state security, Beijing has confirmed.
On Thursday that Michael Spavor have been arrested.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told reports, following widespread speculation about his whereabouts.
His detention comes just two days after former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig was arrested for similar charges linked to threatening state security. Both cases are under investigation currently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.
Spavor, who heads an organization that brings tourists and athletes to North Korea and is among the few westerners to possess met the Hermit Kingdom’s leader, disappeared soon after informing Canadian officials he have been questioned by Chinese authorities.
Social media posts show that Spavor’s friends begun to be worried about him after he didn’t get to Seoul on Monday to wait a conference – day as Kovrig and therefore he might have been detained on a single. kovrig and Spavor are thought to know one another.