Global Affairs Canada (GAC) tells CTV News it “is aware of reports of a Canadian being detained in Switzerland,” following media reports Thursday that a former Canadian UN official is being held over espionage suspicions.
“Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed,” the GAC spokesperson said.
The story was first reported as a joint investigation by German news outlet Der Spiegel, Swiss media outlet Tamedia and NK News, a U.S. news outlet providing analyses on North Korea. CTV News has not independently verified the story.
According to NK News, the Canadian who is in his fifties and currently works as a North Korea expert regularly travelled to China for his work as an environment consultant. Following multiple investigations that go back to at least 2021, Swiss authorities arrested him this spring over suspicions of spying. The investigations found that he was likely working on behalf of China.
The individual has not been publicly charged or convicted.
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