'I'm just so thrilled for him': Friends of Kovrig, Spavor react to release

Those who knew Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor say they are elated now that both Canadians are finally home after being detained in China for more than 1,000 days.

"It's hard to describe but I'm just so thrilled for him and his family more than anybody else," Praveen Madhiraju told CTV News Channel on Saturday. "This has been a long time coming and we're just thrilled for this next chapter."

Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor both landed at Calgary International Airport early Saturday morning. Later that afternoon, Kovrig arrived in Toronto, greeted by his wife and sister on the tarmac at Pearson Airport. He briefly spoke to reporters at the scene, thanking them for their support.

“It's fantastic to be back home in Canada," Kovrig told reporters. "I'm immensely grateful for everybody who worked so hard to bring both of us back home."

Since December 2018, the two men had been detained while facing espionage charges, which came not long after Canadian authorities -- responding to an extradition request from the U.S. -- arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver just days prior.