(CNN) Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, two Canadians detained in China in December 2018 , have been formally charged with spying by Chinese prosecutors, in a move that is likely to raise tensions between the two countries. The People's Procuratorate of Beijing Municipality filed a prosecution against Kovrig on Friday for "for spying on state secrets and intelligence." The People's Procuratorate of Dandong also filed a public prosecution against Spavor for "spying on and illegally providing state secrets." Speaking at a regular press conference Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said the evidence against the two Canadians was "solid." Family members and contacts of the two men have described them being held in poor conditions, and denied outside contact.

Source: CNN June 19, 2020 04:46 UTC