Huawei Extradition Case: Meng's next court date scheduled for September 23
Updated 12:50, 12-May-2019
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Now to the latest on Huawei CFO's extradition case in Canada. Meng Wanzhou will be back in a Canadian court in September to fight extradition to the U-S. Meng is charged with fraud relating to US sanctions on Iran. She's been confined to the Vancouver area since being detained in December. On Wednesday, Meng's lawyers laid out her case in greater detail. CGTN's Hendrik Sybrandy was present in the courtroom and has filed this report.
It's a trip Meng Wanzhou has become quite familiar with: the eight-kilometer drive from her home in West Vancouver to British Columbia Supreme Court downtown. It's been five months since the Huawei executive was picked up by Canadian police on a U.S. warrant at Vancouver airport, an arrest she and her company claim was completely wrong.
BENJAMIN HOWES HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES SPOKESMAN "We have maintained that her U.S.-ordered arrest was an unlawful abuse of process, one guided by political considerations and tactics, not by the rule of law."
On Wednesday, Meng's four attorneys told a judge there are three major problems with her case. One, they said allegations she misled banks into doing business with Iran are untrue.
BENJAMIN HOWES HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES SPOKESMAN "It was made clear that the business activities of Ms. Meng were conducted openly and transparently with the full knowledge of banking officials."
HENDRIK SYBRANDY VANCOUVER "Two, they argued that what's considered a crime in the U.S., in this case fraud, has to be a crime in Canada for extradition to the U.S. to be legal. They said that principle of double criminality does not apply here."
And three, the lawyers said Meng's three-hour long detention at the airport on December 1st violated Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
BENJAMIN HOWES HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES SPOKESMAN "Her luggage was searched, her cellphone and other electronic devices were taken at the direction of the FBI and she was compelled to reveal her passwords."
Meng's representatives say evidence key to the defense remains with the authorities and they want it turned over. Prosecutors maintain Meng's alleged misrepresentations to banks put their economic interests at risk. And they say there's sufficient evidence for her to be extradited. Each of these issues will be considered prior to any extradition hearing.
A Huawei spokesman promises more bank-related information that's central to the case will be released soon.
BENJAMIN HOWES HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES SPOKESMAN "We have trust in the Canadian legal process and we look forward to seeing Ms. Meng's freedom restored."
But first a hearing to determine whether Meng's extradition is even warranted. She's due back in court for eight days beginning in late September. That's when this complex case moves into a new phase and a new season.