Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig back in Canada

Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are back in Canada after being released from a Chinese prison.

After 1,019 days the pair were released after being detained in December 2018.

They were taken into custody under China's state secrets law.

The arrests were seen as an act of retaliation against Canada for its arrest of Huawei telecoms executive Meng Wanzhou.

On 28 January 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice announced financial fraud charges against Meng.

On Friday the Department of Justice announced it had suspended its charges and withdrew its extradition request against Meng Wanzhou after she entered into a deferred prosecution agreement with them.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that the two Michaels were being released and returning to Canada on Friday evening.