The Chinese government charged Kevin Garatt for allegedly stealing state secrets. Garatt has been detained in China since 2014 and is currently waiting for his trial in the city of Dandong .
Time reports that Garatt was accused by the Chinese residents as a "spy" who stole and spilled state secrets. They said that he is acting weird and seems to be against the government.
Chinese investigators found enough evidences to pin down the Canadian. Garatt is reportedly accepting tasks from Canadian espionage agencies to gather intelligence in China. The officials of China charged him with "espionage" and considered him as mole.
Kevin Garatt together with his wife Julia Garatt was arrested last August 2014 in City of Dandong. The Garatt couple are managing a small coffee shop and demeanor church services.
However, the wife of Kevin Garatt was released after a six month stay at Dandong jail. Julia Garatt was able to get out of prison because of bail procedures. Moreover, the long stay of Kevin at Dandong jail resulted to a diplomatic event between Beijing and Ottawa.
Global Affairs stated that they are giving enough support to release Kevin Garatt. Moreover, they are already communicating with the Chinese government so that Garatt can be released.
According to The Star News, the Global Affairs Spokesperson Francois Lasalle stated that "The Government of Canada has raised this case with the Chinese Government at high levels .... We remain in contact with Chinese authorities and the family, and are monitoring developments closely."
Ross Garatt, the father of Kevin, said that his son's health getting worse right now. He wished that he is receiving enough care from the Chinese government. "He should be out of jail, that's for sure", he hoped as per Canada's Globe and Mail Newspaper's report.
Until now, the Canadian government is still in negotiation with the Chinese government. But China seems to stand its ground and decision about the case.
"The Government of Canada has raised this case with the Chinese Government at high levels .... We remain in contact with Chinese authorities and the family, and are monitoring developments closely," said Canadian foreign ministry spokesperson Francois Lasalle as per BBC.
Garatt is now anticipating his trial in the city of Dandong. Dandong is the main China-North Korea border crossing and trade link.
