Li Keqiang Assures Kevin Garratt Will Be Treated Humanely

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has assured visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that detained Canadian citizen Kevin Garratt will be treated humanely.

Li made the assurance during a joint news conference attended by the two leaders. While the Premier did not mention Garratt by name, he said that China is "a country that follows the rule of law." He also promised that judicial authorities will ensure humane treatment, the Global News reported.

Garratt, who operated a coffee shot in Dandong near the country's border with North Korea, was detained by Chinese authorities in Aug. 2014 over allegations of providing intelligence information to Canadian agencies. His wife Julie was detained alongside him but was later released.

He was indicted by a Chinese court in January.

The Canadian's family has earlier expressed disappointment over the slow progress of the case. In a statement released by the family, they called on both the Chinese and Canadian governments to reach a resolution that would allow Garratt to leave China for medical treatment and to return to them.

Garratt's family added that they appreciate that both parties have recognized the urgency of his medical condition and the negative effect5 of prolonged incarceration on his health.

Speaking of the case, Trudeau said that he had always raised the issue of Garratt among other issues when meeting with Chinese leaders, as he believes that this is a matter that must be carefully worked together by the two governments. He also expressed firm belief that there are no evidence to back up the allegations against Garratt, CBC reported.

Meanwhile, Li said that they will grant consular access for the cases involving foreigners.

Garratt is one of several foreigners who have been detained in China over allegations of espionage. In August, Chinese authorities confirmed the detention of a Japanese man on espionage charges after he was reported missing by Japanese media.