Friends of Spavor and Kovrig overjoyed as '2 Michaels' arrive in Canada
Family members and friends of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the pair landed safely on Canadian soil for the first time in more than 1,000 days.
The ‘two Michaels’ arrived home on Saturday, shortly before 6 a.m at the Calgary International Airport aboard a Royal Canadian Airforce Challenger aircraft.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau welcomed the two men and embraced them both on the tarmac following their nearly three-year detainment in China.
Kovrig and Spavor were released just hours after the extradition case against Huawei executive Meng Wangzhou was dropped. According to U.S. authorities, Wangzhou reached a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. related to fraud charges against her on Friday and landed back in China on Saturday morning.
The news was extremely welcoming for Matt Burgener, who was a fellow classmate of Spavor at the University of Calgary in the mid 1990s.
“I didn’t think he was going to come home soon, I didn’t have a lot of optimism internally about the situation, it seemed pretty dire so this is a huge relief,” he said.
“He has stood in the face of adversity that he didn't ask for, he has been brave, and he has been strong, and now he's home. He deserves a hug, not just from Justin Trudeau, but I hope the guy never has to buy another beer in Canada in his life.”
Those statements were echoed by another fellow classmate of Spavor, Michael Purity, who jumped for joy and broke into a dance when he first heard the news.
“A thousand days – it’s an incredible number of days that you and I have been out enjoying fresh air and freedom and we haven’t had the challenges that Michael has faced by any means,” Purity said.
“It was hard to have a friend of mine, or any Canadian in a traumatic situation that is not just – and now we have justice, so I’m very happy.”
Spavor was originally found guilty of espionage and sentenced to 11 years in prison and deportation by a Chinese court in August. The trial for Kovrig concluded in March, but he had not yet been sentenced.
Michael Kovrig (left) and Michael Spavor (right) are seen in this composite image.
KOVRIG'S FORMER ROCK BAND REACTS TO HIS RELEASE
Michael Kovrig, a Canadian-Hungarian former diplomat was once a lead vocalist for a Budapest-based rock band called ‘Bankrupt’ from 1996 to 1999.
The band put out an ad in the newspaper during Kovrig’s time in Hungary seeking an English-speaking singer, which led them to meeting up.
The band's current lead vocalist and bass player, Balasz Sarkadi remembers Kovrig as a kind-hearted man who would even reunite and sing a few songs with the band during his visits back to Hungary.
Bankrupt did what it could to support Kovrig by writing and releasing a song called ‘Plane to Toronto’ early this year which saw all proceeds go to Hostage International.
Sarkadi says he was pleasantly surprised that the song's message of Kovrig safely returning home finally became a reality.
“I wanted to capture that moment when he was on the plane ride home, which is exactly what's happening right now in these moments,” he said.
“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for and I’m just so very happy that this is happening, we can’t wait to talk to Michael again and discuss everything that’s been going on.”
Meanwhile, Kovrig’s employer, The International Crisis Group is also celebrating the news of his release.
In a statement, the company said in part:
We’re relieved the Government of China has righted this wrong. Crisis Group is hugely grateful to many people who have worked tirelessly in support of Michael. We thank the Canadian Government for securing his release and the resolute efforts of many Canadian officials throughout his detention. Thank you to the many others who have contributed publicly and behind the scenes.
Kovrig’s work colleague, Praveen Madhiraju, added that this moment has been long in the making.
“I think everyone knows just how difficult of a time and the circumstances he was under, but for us and our staff I can honestly say that a day didn’t go by since his detention that a large portion of our staff hasn’t thought about him.”
Kovrig landed in Toronto early Saturday afternoon and reunited with his wife Vina Najbibulla (separated) and his sister, Ariana Botha.
Michael Kovrig, centre, embraces his wife Vina Nadjibulla, left, and sister Ariana Botha after arriving at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
CANADIAN PARTY LEADERS RESPOND TO SPAVOR AND KOVRIG'S RETURN HOME
Trudeau first issued the news that Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor left Chinese airspace on Friday evening, confirming to Canadians that their long detention would finally come to an end.
“These two men have gone through an unbelievably difficult ordeal,” he said.
“For the past 1,000 days they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience and grace and we are all inspired by that.”
Conservative Party leader, Erin O’Toole took to Twitter Friday evening as well and issued the following statement.
“Our family shares the elation of millions of Canadians that our citizens are coming home. Thank you to all diplomats involved.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh echoed that sentiment with a social media post of his own.
“Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, Canadians rejoice knowing you’ll be home soon with your friends and families,” Singh said.
“To all the consular officials and diplomats that did their part, thank you.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.