In 2018, Michael Kovrig, then working as a senior advisor for International Crisis Group, was arrested by Chinese authorities on the basis of endangering Chinese security. According to the group Michael was doing the opposite while working in China.
“We do not understand repeated allegations that he has “endangered Chinese security”. Michael’s work included meeting several dozen times with Chinese officials, academics, and analysts from multiple Chinese state institutions. He had attended numerous conferences at the invitation of Chinese organisations. He frequently appeared on Chinese television and in other media to comment on regional issues. Nothing Michael did harmed China. On the contrary, Crisis Group’s work aims to defuse any tensions between China and nearby states, and to give a fresh, independent appraisal of China’s growing role in the world.”
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has called Michael’s detention unacceptable and he has now been held without charge for almost 2 years.
Previously, Michael, a Canadian citizen, was the singer for the Hungarian band Bankrupt. Now his fellow bandmates have released a music video for their song The Plane To Toronto which they released as a single in July this year to raise awareness about Michael’s case.
You can participate in getting the word out and put pressure on the Chinese government to free Michael from his arbitrary detention. The band has made a Free Michael Kovrig poster that you can print, and take a selfie holding, and upload it to Instagram / Facebook / Twitter with the hashtag #freemichaelkovrig. You can also make your own poster.
For the music video below, the band received 60 videos from supporters from all around the world and now it’s up to the rest of us to share this piece of work.
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