Exclusive: B.C. politician breaks silence: China detained me, searched my gov’t Blackberry, PRC is increasingly interfering ‘in our democracy’ | Globalnews.ca globalnews.ca/news/6228973/b… #cndpoli #elxn44 @inamitchellfilm
@inamitchellfilm 1. "On one occasion the consul general, Liu Fei, she told me directly I should not attend the commemoration of the June 4 services,” Lee said. “And she complained to some of my colleagues that I should not (attend June 4 services)."
@inamitchellfilm 2. Richard Lee, a veteran BC Liberal MLA and federal Liberal candidate, says he was detained in Shanghai, Nov. 24, 2015, 'held incommunicado', and officials demanded to search his BC gov't Blackberry. He feared long term detainment, his wife was with him for an anniversary trip.
@inamitchellfilm 3. So he says he provided the passcode to his Blackberry to the Chinese officials, and they searched his devices while he was detained. He says he knew this could reveal confidential BC government info, but he felt they were more interested in his own pro-democracy activity.
@inamitchellfilm 4. Lee says China released him, cancelled his visa, and ordered him and his wife to fly home to Vancouver, they could not fly to #HongKong . When he arrived in BC, he says he reported his detention and the possible compromise of his BC gov't Blackberry to the BC Liberal party.
@inamitchellfilm 5. "Lee says he does not know whether B.C. Liberal leaders ever informed the RCMP about his Shanghai detention, and the possibility that the Chinese government obtained confidential B.C. government information by examining Lee’s Blackberry."
@inamitchellfilm 5. Global News asked B.C. Attorney General David Eby if he is concerned that confidential B.C. government information may now be in the hands of the Chinese government.
@inamitchellfilm 7. Mr. Eby told Global News he will be sending a letter to Canada's AG, asking for an investigation. There are several serious concerns; a Canadian politician was allegedly improperly detained; confidential BC gov't records may have been compromised; the PRC may have unduly ...
@inamitchellfilm 8. attempted to influence a major Canadian political party, the BC Liberals, telling the party leaders what Chinese Canadian elected officials can not do. We have attempted to question the BC Liberal leader named, but could not reach them after an attempt yesterday. The party has
@inamitchellfilm 9. connections to both the federal Liberals, and the federal Conservatives.
@inamitchellfilm 10. When Michael Kovrig was detained on dubious accusation of endangering China's national security a year ago, Mr. Lee sent a letter to Canada's Primer Minister, pointing to 'administrative arbitrariness' the PRC can use to punish anyone, including Canadian politicians.
@inamitchellfilm 11. 
@inamitchellfilm The Letter was emailed Jan. 1, 2019, to Lu Shaye, China's ambassador scmp.com/news/china/dip… He did not respond, Lee says, and neither did Canada's federal government. Global News resent this letter to China's consulate, they have not responded to my questions on allegations.
@inamitchellfilm Six days after I started investigating Lee's story and 1 day after I resent his letter + my questions to China's embassy, Mr. Lee got the eye of Canada's highest office. “On behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence."
@inamitchellfilm Stay tuned, we are continuing to chase questions and consequences for this story, thanks for reading. Mr. Lee wants to explain, the PRC is increasingly seeking control of Chinese-Canadian associations that used to be independent. IMO this has serious ramifications think elections
