Held for Espionage or Just Suspicions?

Imagine owning a coffee shop somewhere in a foreign place. A place where people came to relax, sip coffee, and learn a different language. This was the life of Canadian couple Kevin and Julia Garrett

before they were apprehended and placed within a China jail. The couple was suspected of stealing and transferring (espionage) state secrets to Canada. 

The couple had moved to Dandong with the intention of spreading the word of God to those in North Korea along with providing aid to those who needed it. These actions caused the Chinese government to become suspicious of the couple. The couple was apprehended and are now under the close surveillance of China. 

Julia has been released on bail. However, Kevin is being kept in a secret facility while further investigations are being conducted. The couple is not allowed to leave China, causing great tensions between China and Canada. 

To read the full story you can find it on the "NY Times" website or you can follow the link below: 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/world/asia/china-holds-canadian-on-suspicion-of-stealing-state-secrets.html?ref=world

The Canadian government is doing all that they can to help the couple out of their sticky situation. The ever growing tension between China and North Korea are the reason why this couple was under

surveillance. The couple was living on the border near North Korea with the intentions of helping those within Korea. China, in response, deduced that the couple was only up to "no good". There was no evidence found against the couple or the couple's family for that matter. 

Governments should not decidei that someone is guilty based upon the suspicion of espionage. There needs to be facts. There needs to be evidence that proves guilt. Suspicion is not enough. This arresting and detaining Kevin and Julia Garrett is a state crime; more specifically it is political repression.

Political repression can be either violent or nonviolent. In this case it is nonviolent. "Methods of political repression range from nonviolent use of law to imprison..." (Helfgott, p. 357). Kevin and Julia were both apprehended without any evidence and are now being held prisoner within China. The couple is not allowed to exercise their rights because they are under suspicion. This is a crime towards this couple.

References

Helfgott. "Political Crime." 9 (2002). Web. <https://bblearn.nau.edu/bbcswebdav/courses/1151-NAU00-CCJ-341-SEC001-6366.NAU-PSSIS/Helfgott_Chapter_9.pdf>. 

Levin, D. (2015, February 5). China Holds Canadian on Suspicion of Stealing State Secrets. Retrieved February 5, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/06/world/asia/china-holds-canadian-on-suspicion-of-stealing-state-secrets.html?ref=world