Here are the key events leading to the release of Meng Wanzhou, ‘Two Michaels’

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained in China just days after Canadian police arrested Meng at the behest of a U.S. extradition request in December of 2018.

Meng Wanzhou struck a deal Friday with the U.S. Justice Department to resolve their charges against her — a deal that has paved the way for a B.C. court to discharge her and allow the Huawei Technologies executive to return to China.

And, shortly after Meng left Vancouver on an Air China flight to Shenzhnen, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were on route back to Canada.

Both Kovrig and Spavor had spent over 1,000 days in detention in China — the ordeal having started just days after Canadian police arrested Meng at the behest of a U.S. extradition request in December of 2018.

Meng was originally wanted on U.S. charges of committing fraud by misleading the HSBC bank on her company’s dealings in Iran. The “Two Michaels,” as Spavor and Kovrig have been frequently referred to, were detained on espionage charges.

Here is a timeline of the key events leading to the “Two Michaels” freeing and Meng’s release:

Aug. 22, 2018: An arrest warrant was issued in a New York court for Meng Wanzhou to stand trial in the United States.

Dec. 1, 2018: Canadian police, abiding by the extradition request, arrested the Huawei CFO while she was changing planes at Vancouver airport.

Dec. 6, 2018: Chinese officials claimed they had not been given a reason for Meng’s arrest. The White House and Trudeau both moved to distance themselves from the arrest.