Speculation will mar probe on Canadians

Kevin and Julia Dawn Garratt, a Canadian couple living in China, are being investigated by the State Security Bureau of Dandong, a city in Liaoning province bordering the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in line with Chinese laws, Xinhua News Agency said on Aug 4. The couple ran a coffee shop in Dandong.

"Kevin Garratt and his wife are suspected of collecting and stealing intelligence materials related to Chinese military targets and important Chinese national defense scientific research programs, and engaging in activities that endanger China's national security," the Foreign Ministry said a day later. Liaoning's provincial security authorities have notified the Canadian Embassy about the investigation and the fact that the couple's "various rights have been fully guaranteed".

These are all we know about the suspected spying case involving the Canadian couple. Although limited, the information is enough to tell us that the Chinese authorities have kept the related parties informed about the development and adopted normal procedures to take the case forward. Given their highly sensitive nature, it is common for countries not to disclose detailed information on espionage cases until investigations are complete because doing so could jeopardize the probes.