Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig are likely grappling with what one former detained Canadian who faced the Chinese court process during his own two-year detention described as an “excruciating” wait. In an interview with The West Block‘s Mercedes Stephenson, Kevin Garratt said the lack of transparency combined with threats of execution during his years in Chinese prison and court. “I sort of had in the back of my mind that I would be convicted. I didn’t really fully grasp that at the time — I went in with hope,” said Garratt, who said he was threatened with execution “many times” during interrogation.