B.C. judge denies early attempt by Meng Wanzhou to gain her freedom
Huawei Technologies chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou leaves her home to attend a court hearing in Vancouver, May 27, 2020.A B.C. Supreme Court judge has denied an early attempt by Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. executive Meng Wanzhou to gain her freedom, ruling that her alleged bank fraud is a crime in both Canada and the United States.
In her 23-page ruling, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes stated that Ms. Meng allegedly lying to HSBC’s U.S. subsidiary in 2013 to obtain almost a billion dollars of credit would still constitute fraud if it occurred in Canada. She disagreed with Ms. Meng’s legal team that the essence of that allegation was not fraud, but the evasion of economic sanctions – which Canada does not have against Iran.
The Huawei executive’s defence team has alleged that Canadian and U.S. authorities engaged in a “covert criminal investigation” and that border agents violated Ms. Meng’s Charter rights by forcing her to provide pass codes to her electronic devices before advising her of her legal rights.U.S. prosecutors had accused Ms. Meng of defrauding foreign banks by misrepresenting Huawei’s relationship with a company called Skycom Tech Co. Ltd.
“Experience shows that many fraudsters benefit in particular from international dealings through which they can obscure their identity and the location of their fraudulent gains. For the double criminality principle to be applied in the manner Ms. Meng suggests would give fraud an artificially narrow scope in the extradition context.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Huawei Executive Meng Wanzhou Faces Key Ruling In Extradition CaseThe decision could lead to her release from detention in Canada.
Read more »
Meng Wanzhou is ready for her close-up - Macleans.caImage of the Week: The Huawei CFO does a cheeky photo-op on the eve of the court decision that will determine her future
Read more »
Experienced judge Heather Holmes in the spotlight as Meng Wanzhou verdict nearsOn Wednesday, Associate Chief Justice Holmes will release a ruling in the extradition case of Chinese telecom executive Meng Wanzhou that could shape Canada-China relations for years to come
Read more »
Live coverage from court: Key decision in Meng Wanzhou hearing to comeA B.C. Supreme Court judge will reveal her decision in the double criminality hearing of Meng Wanzhou Wednesday morning.
Read more »
Free to go or closer to extradition? What to expect from Wednesday's Meng Wanzhou decisionAt 11 a.m. Wednesday, a B.C. Supreme Court judge will publish a decision that could have global implications.
Read more »