The two Canadians who’ve been held in custody in Beijing for more than two years, are reportedly likely to stand trial ”soon”.

That according to the editor of a Communist Party-run newspaper.

Citing an unnamed source, ”Global Times” editor Hu Xijin tweeted authorities will launch a first trial shortly.

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor have both been charged with espionage, a crime that carries a minimum sentence of 10 years but can in serious situations be punishable by life behind bars.

They were seized days after Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on an extradition request from the U.S. in December 2018. 

Her extradition hearing is scheduled to end May 14.

Spavor’s lawyer says the specific date for trial will come from the court that has yet to issue notice, which is expected three days before trial.

Former Canadian ambassador to China, Guy Saint-Jacques, says putting them on trial will make it ”a lot more difficult to extract the two Michaels.”