Two Canadian Christian activists are being investigated by China for alleged "theft of state secrets about China's military and national defense research." Chinese law is extremely vague in its definition of "state secrets," but the penalty can be punishable by death.
The pair, Kevin and Julia Garratt, run a cafe in Dandong, on the Chinese border with North Korea. Originally from Vancouver, the Garratts have been based in China since 1984, running Peter's Coffee House since 2008. The coffee house sits on the Yalu River that separates the two countries and the "T" in its name is in the shape of a cross. Peter's describes itself online as "only meters from the border of North Korea," and "the perfect stop off while en route to or returning from the Hermit Kingdom." The Dandong region is sensitive military but is also a base for Christian groups, particularly from South Korea, who work to assist North Koreans who flee across the border.
The Garratts' 27-year-old son Simeon said he had last spoken to his parents at 6:30pm on Monday as they were heading for dinner, but his brother grew anxious when their 54-year-old father did not send photos from the dinner as promised. The parents’ phone was switched off later in the night, and they were not at their apartment on Tuesday morning. Authorities have yet to confirm if they have been detained.
Canada's embassy in Beijing says it is aware of the situation but declined to release any further information. News of the investigation came just a week after Canada accused China of hacking into the computers of its research and development arm.
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