The Canadian government announced Friday that it will allow an extradition hearing for Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou to the United States to proceed.
Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei and the daughter of founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested in Canada last year at the request of the United States following allegations the manufacturer defrauded multiple banks and violated U.S. sanctions on Iran.
“Canada is a country governed by the rule of law. Extradition in Canada is guided by the Extradition Act, international treaties and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which enshrines constitutional principles of fairness and due process,” Canada’s Department of Justice said in a statement.
{mosads}“The decision follows a thorough and diligent review of the evidence in this case. The Department is satisfied that the requirements set out by the Extradition Act for the issuance of an Authority to Proceed have been met and there is sufficient evidence to be put before an extradition judge for decision,” the statement reads.
Meng, who has denied any wrongdoing, is scheduled to appear in Canadian court Wednesday for an extradition hearing.
“An extradition hearing is not a trial nor does it render a verdict of guilt or innocence. If a person is ultimately extradited from Canada to face prosecution in another country, the individual will have a trial in that country,” Canada’s Justice Department said in the statement.
The department said that Meng will remain out on bail while court proceedings are underway.
The Canadian agency added that should the extradition judge decide Meng should be committed for extradition, the country’s minister of justice will then decide if she should be extradited to the U.S.
“Under the Extradition Act and the Treaty, Canada must review the alleged conduct and determine whether it could have resulted in a jail sentence of 1 year of more if it had taken place in Canada. The conduct for which extradition is sought must also be considered criminal in both the United States of America and in Canada. This is known as ‘dual criminality,’ ” the department said.
“Canada’s extradition process protects the rights of the person sought by ensuring that extradition will not be granted if, among other things, it is contrary to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the principles of fundamental justice,” the statement added.
Updated 3:26 p.m.