Wednesday 30 / April / 2025
Shenzhen: Chinese telecom giant Huawei have said that they have full confidence in their Chief Financial Officer’s innocence over allegations of breaching bans regarding deals with Iran.
Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada last December at the request of US authorities who claimed she intended to defraud multiple financial institutions. The arrest warrant was issued by the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, after banks reportedly cleared money that was to be sent to Huawei, but in truth was said to be allocated towards Skycom, a company that is supposedly fully controlled by the former.
Skycom are said to be a Hong Kong-based tech company that reportedly tried to sell US equipment to Iran, despite US and European Union sanctions prohibiting them from doing so.
Wanzhou’s latest trial took place in a Canadian court on May 8 at 10am, following which Huawei released a statement which said that her arrest was unlawful.
In the statement, Huawei said: “From the outset, Huawei has expressed confidence in Ms. Meng’s innocence. 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.”
The statement went on to add that her lawyers had made three important disclosures during the trial.
The company said: “First, the criminal case against Ms. Meng is based on allegations that are simply not true. To the contrary, it was made clear in court today that business activities by Ms. Meng were conducted openly and transparently with full knowledge of banking officials. The lawyers noted in court today that the PowerPoint presented was not misleading, the bank had knowledge of the nature of Skycom's business and operations in Iran, and the bank understood the relationship between Huawei and Skycom.
“Second, it was revealed that actions directed in part by the FBI led to serious and repeated violations of Ms. Meng’s rights under the Charter,” said the media statement. “According to the evidence disclosed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of Canada, the arrest of Meng at the airport was a coordinated effort of three departments: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and the FBI.”
It added: “Third, it was revealed that the arrest of Ms. Meng violated a core principle of the Canada - US Extradition Treaty and Canadian extradition law – because the allegation she faces is not a crime in Canada. The US allegations against Meng are based on violations of US sanctions against Iran. However, Canada does not impose sanctions on financial services in relation to Iran. Therefore, the extradition request does not satisfy the double criminality requirement.”
The statement also said that Meng was forced to reveal her passwords after her luggage was searched and other electronic devices were seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“The RCMP intentionally delayed the presentation of the arrest warrant in order to carry out unlawful detention and search against Meng under the pretense of a routine border check,” the company revealed. “Her luggage was searched. Her cellphone and other electronic devices were seized at the direction of the FBI – and she was compelled to reveal her passwords.
“More key evidence regarding this case remains in the hands of the RCMP, the CBSA and the DOJ. Ms. Meng will apply to the court, asking the RCMP, CBSA, and DOJ to disclose more evidence on this matter,” said Huawei.
Meng Wanzhou – who is also known as Sabrina Meng or Cathy Meng – is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. She also happens to be deputy chairperson of the board of the company. Meng was arrested in Canada on 1 December 2018, while changing planes at Vancouver international airport. She was said to be travelling to Mexico, having just landed from Hong Kong.
“It was stated that political factors at play during the extradition process may lead to a serious violation of justice,” said Huawei. “Ms. Meng’s legitimate rights may also be harmed. Thus Ms. Meng intends to apply to this Court for a stay of the extradition proceedings. Canadians value the rule of law – and the Charter of Rights. Law enforcement officials are expected to follow the rules at all times, in all cases and for all people – citizens and visitors alike.
“We have trust in the Canadian judicial process – and we look forward to seeing Ms. Meng’s freedom restored.”
