Huawei CFO in Canadian Court for Third Bail Hearing

10 days after her arrest by Canadian authorities on suspicions of fraud charges, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wenzhou is back in court in Vancouver for her third bail hearing.

Wenzhou has been accused by the United States of misleading numerous multinational banks about the business dealings of Huawei subsidiary Skycom in Iran. This alleged falsification of facts put the aforementioned banks at risk of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran in the area, and would result in them incurring significant penalties. The United States is demanding that she be extradited onto American soil immediately. If she is found guilty of her crimes, she could end up serving 30 years in prison. The government of China, however, has been very vocal about preventing this from happening.

Wenzhou’s legal team continues to push for her release, offering $15 million dollars in bail money, $1 million of which would be in cash. They have also drawn up what they call a “supervision plan” that would ensure Wenzhou adheres to the conditions of her bail release, and keep herself available when she is needed in court again. She would hire her own 24/7 security team that she would pay for herself. She also suggested that her husband act as her surety, however the Canadian Crown is skeptical.

As the Crown pointed out, there is little reason for the Canadian government to have faith that Wenzhou’s husband would keep her in Canada, when she is facing up to 30 years if convicted of fraud. Given that he has no loyalty to Canada or their justice system, him acting as a surety does not seem like a plausible idea.

Not only that, but both the Crown, as well as the United States, consider Wenzhou to be a huge flight risk. The United States Department of Justice, even sent a letter to the office of the Canadian Attorney General, warning of this possibility.

Should Wenzhou not be released, this is sure to have consequences for both the governments of Canada and the United States, in regards to their relationship with China.

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5 years ago
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