A<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disregards-facts-and-common-sense-china-decries-canadas-motion-saying-its-treatment-of-uighurs-is-genocide-365690"> Beijing</a> court started analyst and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig's trial on Monday.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/huawei-executives-extradition-fight-enters-final-round-in-canada-367304/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The closed-door trial of Kovrig follows an initial hearing in the case of entrepreneur Michael <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/canada-judge-rejects-huawei-cfos-push-to-use-employee-statements-as-evidence-in-us-extradition-case-370099">Spavor</a> in China's Dandong last week.

Michael Kovrig was arrested in December 2018 with entrepreneur Michael Spavor. The arrest had taken place days after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-judge-rejects-new-request-in-huawei-extradition-case-370376">Huawei's </a>top executive Meng Wanzhou was detained in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In June last year, the two Canadians were charged with spying under China's national security laws. Jim Nickel, charge d'affaires of the Canadian embassy in Beijing was present outside the courtroom. He said that consular officials were not given permission to attend the proceedings for Kovrig's trial despite several requests.

"We're very troubled by the lack of access and lack of transparency in the legal process," Nickel said amid deteriorating ties between Canada and China due to the trial.

Canadian officials had expressed disappointment at what they have called a lack of transparency in the case. Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin&nbsp;Trudeau&nbsp;had also blasted Beijing for holding the trial “in secret” without access for consular officials.

Meanwhile, William Klein, charge d'affaires of the US embassy in China said the Biden administration will treat these two individuals(Spavor &amp; Kovrig as if they were American citizens).

The United States had earlier raised concerns during the bilateral talks with China in Alaska last week.

Canadian officials were also disallowed from attending Spavor's trial on Friday as the Chinese court said it would set a date later for a verdict.

A Beijing court started analyst and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig's trial on Monday. Watch: The closed-door trial of Kovrig follows an initial hearing in the case of entrepreneur Michael Spavor in China's Dandong last week.

A Beijing court started analyst and former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig's trial on Monday. Watch: The closed-door trial of Kovrig follows an initial hearing in the case of entrepreneur Michael Spavor in China's Dandong last week. Michael Kovrig was arrested in December 2018 with entrepreneur Michael Spavor. The arrest had taken place days after Huawei's top executive Meng Wanzhou was detained in Vancouver, British Columbia. In June last year, the two Canadians were charged with spying under China's national security laws. Jim Nickel, charge d'affaires of the Canadian embassy in Beijing was present outside the courtroom. He said that consular officials were not given permission to attend the proceedings for Kovrig's trial despite several requests. "We're very troubled by the lack of access and lack of transparency in the legal process," Nickel said amid deteriorating ties between Canada and China due to the trial. Canadian officials had expressed disappointment at what they have called a lack of transparency in the case. Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had also blasted Beijing for holding the trial “in secret” without access for consular officials. Meanwhile, William Klein, charge d'affaires of the US embassy in China said the Biden administration will treat these two individuals(Spavor & Kovrig as if they were American citizens). The United States had earlier raised concerns during the bilateral talks with China in Alaska last week. Canadian officials were also disallowed from attending Spavor's trial on Friday as the Chinese court said it would set a date later for a verdict.

Former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig's trial begins in Beijing

Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said the espionage cases against two Canadian citizens in the country are unrelated to the ongoing extradition case in Canada against Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou and called for Meng's release.

Chinese foreign ministry on Monday said the espionage cases against two Canadian citizens in the country are unrelated to the ongoing extradition case in Canada against Huawei senior executive Meng Wanzhou and called for Meng's release. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made the remarks during a daily briefing. "Meng Wanzhou's case is totally different from the case of Canadian citizens. Anyone without prejudice would know that clearly. The case of Meng Wanzhou is a very serious political issue," said Zhao. Asked about Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calling on China to end what he called "arbitrary detention" of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were arrested in 2018 on state security charges, Zhao said there is no such thing as arbitrary detention in China.

Espionage cases against Canadians not linked to Huawei CFO, says China

2 Canadian citizens accused of spying and stealing state secrets in China, stucked in a Chinese prison for last 500 days due to lockdown.

2 Canadian citizens stuck in a Chinese prison for last 500 days, accused of spying