Meng Wanzhou, 49, has been detained in Canada since December 2018, awaiting extradition to the United States. She is now on her way to China.
Meng is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei and she was Financial Director From the company. She was arrested at Vancouver Airport in December 2018 because the United States suspected her of corporate espionage and fraud. It also allegedly violated the US embargo on Iran by being involved in supplying computers to the country.
On Friday, it was announced that the US justice system had dropped the charges against Meng. In turn, the Huawei executive accepted responsibility for providing false information about trade with Iran. After the deal was concluded, a Canadian judge ruled that Meng was free to leave the country. A few hours later she left for her native China. Shortly thereafter, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the release of “Michaels,” two Canadians held in China on spying charges.
The US request for Meng’s arrest and extradition was part of President Trump’s confrontational policy. He believed that Huawei was undermining US interests by acting as an extension of the Chinese state. For example, the United States accused Huawei of enabling espionage through the company’s network equipment. according to New York times The agreement between Meng and the US justice system attests to the conciliatory stance of the new president, Joe Biden.
Huawei has always denied any wrongdoing. According to Meng’s lawyer, she had become a pawn in a game between the two superpowers. China has repeatedly urged the United States to withdraw Meng’s request for extradition to Canada.
Canadians are free
Shortly after Meng’s arrest, China arrested Canadian businessman Michael Spavor and his compatriot Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat. Spavor was sentenced to 11 years in prison in August. The arrests were seen as retaliation for Meng’s arrest. They are now on their way to Canada. They are expected to arrive there on Saturday.
The two Canadians were in cells where the light was always on and they were not allowed to communicate with the outside world. Meng was detained in more pleasant conditions. She was allowed outside during the day, accompanied by guards, to eat at specially rented restaurants or to shop in shops that kept other customers away.
