Michael Kovrig, a Canadian man detained by China for over 1,000 days, revealed in an interview the harsh treatment he endured, including months of solitary confinement and relentless daily interrogations lasting up to nine hours. The ordeal was described as psychological torture, with Kovrig missing the birth of his daughter and only meeting her for the first time when she was two-and-a-half years old.
Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor were arrested in December 2018 in retaliation for the detention of Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Huawei, by Canadian authorities on a U.S. warrant. Both men were accused of spying. Kovrig, a former diplomat and think tank adviser, highlighted the U.N. guidelines stating that more than 15 days of solitary confinement is considered psychological torture, and yet he endured nearly six months in isolation.
The conditions in the solitary cell were described as grueling, with no daylight and incessant fluorescent lights. Kovrig’s food ration was limited to three bowls of rice a day. The interrogations were relentless and aimed at coercing acceptance of a false reality.
Kovrig and Spavor were finally released in September 2021, coinciding with the dropping of the U.S. extradition request for Meng. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa defended their detention, stating that they were suspected of endangering China’s national security and that the cases were handled in accordance with the law.
The interview also revealed the emotional impact on Kovrig’s family, with his partner being pregnant at the time of his arrest. Kovrig’s joy at finally meeting his daughter and experiencing new wonders with her highlighted the resilience and hope that sustained him through the ordeal.
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