This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/dec/12/meng-wanzhou-canada-frees-huawei-cfo-on-bail

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Meng Wanzhou: Canadian court frees Huawei CFO on bail Meng Wanzhou: Canadian court frees Huawei CFO on bail
(about 1 hour later)
A Canadian court has granted bail to Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou while she awaits a hearing for extradition to the United States. A Canadian court has granted bail to the Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou while she awaits a hearing on extradition to the United States.
The release of the Chinese technology company’s chief financial officer caps three days of hearings and sets the stage for what could be a lengthy battle as she fights extradition to the United States. The release of the Chinese technology company’s chief financial officer caps three days of hearings and sets the stage for what could be a lengthy battle.
Huawei: Chinese media says Canada will pay 'heavy price' if CFO isn't releasedHuawei: Chinese media says Canada will pay 'heavy price' if CFO isn't released
The decision by the court in Vancouver on Tuesday comes as Donald Trump told Reuters that he would intervene in the case if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China. The decision by the court in Vancouver on Tuesday came as Donald Trump told Reuters that he would intervene in the case if it would serve national security interests or help close a trade deal with China.
It also follows reports that former Canadian diplomat, Michael Kovrig, has been detained in China. Kovrig had previously served as political lead for prime minister Justin Trudeau’s 2016 visit to Hong Kong. Trudeau told reporters the government took news of the detention “very seriously”. Former diplomats and analysts had previously cautioned China might take punitive measures in response to Meng’s arrest, which has prompted uproar in China. It also follows reports that the former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig has been detained in China. Kovrig had previously served as political lead for prime minister Justin Trudeau’s 2016 visit to Hong Kong. Trudeau told reporters the government took news of the detention “very seriously”. Former diplomats and analysts had previously cautioned that China might take punitive measures in response to Meng’s arrest, which has prompted uproar in China.
“This arrest sends a sign to current diplomats of the seriousness with which China is taking this particular matter,” said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Carleton University, cautioning that it was still too early to definitively say the two events were related.“This arrest sends a sign to current diplomats of the seriousness with which China is taking this particular matter,” said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Carleton University, cautioning that it was still too early to definitively say the two events were related.
Meng was detained by Canadian authorities on 1 December in Vancouver, on suspicion that she committed fraud. The US alleges she misled banks about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom— the latter of which had done business with Iran. Meng was detained by Canadian authorities on 1 December in Vancouver. The US alleges she misled banks about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom – the latter of which had done business with Iran.
Prior to her release, Meng had spent more than a week in custody and cited her poor health—including previous cancer surgery and difficulty eating solid foods— as grounds for posting bail. Prior to her release Meng had spent more than a week in custody and cited her poor health – including previous cancer surgery and difficulty eating solid foods – as grounds for bail.
The giant that no one trusts: why Huawei’s history haunts itThe giant that no one trusts: why Huawei’s history haunts it
In granting release, supreme court Justice William Ehrcke outlined 15 provisions for Meng including that she would submit to constant surveillance and wear a GPS tracking device, surrender both of her passports and provide a bond of C$10m ($7.5m). She is also subject to a curfew between 11pm and 6am. In granting her release, Justice William Ehrcke of the supreme court outlined 15 provisions including Meng submitting to constant surveillance and wearing a GPS tracking device, surrendering both of her passports, providing a bond of C$10m ($7.5m). She is also subject to a curfew between 11pm and 6am.
Meng is required to pay the full cost of both surveillance and GPS monitoring. Meng is required to pay the full cost of surveillance and GPS monitoring. Government lawyers had pushed for house arrest but she will remain in her Vancouver home pending the extradition hearing, with significant travel restrictions.
Government lawyers had pushed for house arrest, but she will remain in her Vancouver pending the extradition hearing, with significant travel restrictions. The United States, which asked Canada to detain Meng, has not yet submitted a formal request for extradition. If no formal notice is given within 60 days she will be released. She is due back in court on 6 February.
The United States, which had requested Canada detain Meng, has not yet submitted a formal request for extradition. If no formal notice is given within 60 days, she will be released. She is due back in court on 6 February. Speaking to Reuters, Trump said of the case: “If I think it’s good for the country, if I think it’s good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made … I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary.”
On Tuesday evening, Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, acknowledged the “geopolitical complexity radiating from all of this” and said she had assured her Chinese counterparts that all aspects of Meng’s case were “in accordance with the law”, adding that the Canadian legal system was independent from political interference. “That is how it has to be.” Trump, who has made sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program a signature part of his foreign policy, was asked whether Meng could be released.
But the reported detention of Kovrig has thrown into disarray warming relationship between Canada and China and has the potential to further exacerbate tensions. “Well, it’s possible that a lot of different things could happen. It’s also possible it will be a part of negotiations. But we’ll speak to the justice department,” he said.
“China has been courting Canada for some time for free a trade agreements,” said Carvin. “If you’re trying to prove that you are worthy partner-- that you’re going to respond to things using the rule of law-- this was a very non-strategic move to make.” Asked if he would like to see Meng extradited to the US, Trump said he wanted to first see what the Chinese requested. He added, however, that Huawei’s alleged practices were troubling. “This has been a big problem that we’ve had in so many different ways with so many companies from China and from other places,” he said.
On Tuesday evening Canada’s foreign minister, Chrystia Freeland, acknowledged the “geopolitical complexity radiating from all of this” and said she had assured her Chinese counterparts that all aspects of Meng’s case were “in accordance with the law”.
But the reported detention of Kovrig has thrown into disarray the warming relationship between Canada and China and has the potential to further exacerbate tensions.
“China has been courting Canada for some time for free a trade agreements,” said Carvin. “If you’re trying to prove that you are worthy partner – that you’re going to respond to things using the rule of law – this was a very non-strategic move to make.”
HuaweiHuawei
CanadaCanada
ChinaChina
Asia PacificAsia Pacific
AmericasAmericas
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content