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Huawei's Meng Wanzhou to be freed in US deal Huawei's Meng Wanzhou to be freed in US deal
(30 minutes later)
Ms Meng was seen smiling as she left her home in Vancouver on FridayMs Meng was seen smiling as she left her home in Vancouver on Friday
A Chinese technology executive held in Canada on US fraud charges could be freed as early as Friday after prosecutors said an extradition request against her would be dropped.A Chinese technology executive held in Canada on US fraud charges could be freed as early as Friday after prosecutors said an extradition request against her would be dropped.
Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, was detained in December 2018 at the request of the US.Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, was detained in December 2018 at the request of the US.
The two sides agreed to eventually drop all the charges against Ms Meng. The two sides agreed that all charges would eventually be dropped.
The case sparked an international row, straining China's relations with the US and Canada.The case sparked an international row, straining China's relations with the US and Canada.
It has been the subject of intense negotiations between US and Chinese diplomats.It has been the subject of intense negotiations between US and Chinese diplomats.
The US alleged Ms Meng misled the bank HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions against Iran.The US alleged Ms Meng misled the bank HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions against Iran.
On Friday the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said it had reached a deferred prosecution agreement.On Friday the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said it had reached a deferred prosecution agreement.
This means the DOJ would hold off from prosecuting Ms Meng until December 2022. If she complied with conditions set by court, the case would eventually be dropped.This means the DOJ would hold off from prosecuting Ms Meng until December 2022. If she complied with conditions set by court, the case would eventually be dropped.
Under this agreement, her extradition case in Canada will likely be thrown out and she could be freed almost immediately. Under this agreement, her extradition case in Canada will likely be thrown out and she could be freed almost immediately. She has been under house arrest in Vancouver, but this is likely to be lifted.
However, the DOJ said it is continuing to prepare for trial against Huawei.
Prosecutors also recommended that Ms Meng be released on a personal recognisance bond, which will allow her to be freed without any collateral.Prosecutors also recommended that Ms Meng be released on a personal recognisance bond, which will allow her to be freed without any collateral.
Ms Meng pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. She could fly back to China as soon as Saturday, a person with knowledge of the matter told the BBC.Ms Meng pleaded not guilty to fraud charges. She could fly back to China as soon as Saturday, a person with knowledge of the matter told the BBC.
As part of the deal, Ms Meng agreed to a "statement of facts" admitting that she knowingly made false statements to HSBC.
The DOJ said Ms Meng had "taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to defraud a global financial institution".
The PowerPoint that sparked an international rowThe PowerPoint that sparked an international row
Meng Wanzhou: Trapped in a gilded cageMeng Wanzhou: Trapped in a gilded cage
The life of Huawei's high-flying heiressThe life of Huawei's high-flying heiress
Ms Meng is the elder daughter of billionaire Ren Zhengfei, who set up Huawei in 1987. The company is now the largest telecom equipment maker in the world.Ms Meng is the elder daughter of billionaire Ren Zhengfei, who set up Huawei in 1987. The company is now the largest telecom equipment maker in the world.
He served in the Chinese army for nine years, until 1983, and is also a member of the Chinese Communist Party.He served in the Chinese army for nine years, until 1983, and is also a member of the Chinese Communist Party.
Huawei has faced accusations that the Chinese authorities could use its equipment for espionage - allegations it denies.Huawei has faced accusations that the Chinese authorities could use its equipment for espionage - allegations it denies.
In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Huawei and placed it on an export blacklist, cutting it off from key technologies.In 2019, the US imposed sanctions on Huawei and placed it on an export blacklist, cutting it off from key technologies.
The UK, Sweden, Australia and Japan have also banned Huawei, while other countries including France and India have adopted measures stopping short of an outright ban.The UK, Sweden, Australia and Japan have also banned Huawei, while other countries including France and India have adopted measures stopping short of an outright ban.
A few days after Ms Meng was arrested, China detained two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, on suspicion of spying.A few days after Ms Meng was arrested, China detained two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, on suspicion of spying.
Critics have accused China of treating them as political bargaining chips, held as part of what is known as "hostage diplomacy". China denies this.Critics have accused China of treating them as political bargaining chips, held as part of what is known as "hostage diplomacy". China denies this.
For months there have been extensive behind-the-scenes contacts, with senior Huawei executives sent to Washington by the company to try to resolve a case which has fuelled international tension.For months there have been extensive behind-the-scenes contacts, with senior Huawei executives sent to Washington by the company to try to resolve a case which has fuelled international tension.
For Huawei's boss, the issue has been deeply personal, with his daughter being held, but for the whole of China it has also turned into a major cause of anger. It has also poisoned relations between China and Canada, with the latter believing two of its citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, have been held as pawns in the negotiations.For Huawei's boss, the issue has been deeply personal, with his daughter being held, but for the whole of China it has also turned into a major cause of anger. It has also poisoned relations between China and Canada, with the latter believing two of its citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, have been held as pawns in the negotiations.
A deal has the ability to reduce some of the tensions that have emerged. But there will still be questions - what does the US gain out of it? And what kind of link might there be between events in North America and the status of the two Michaels in China?A deal has the ability to reduce some of the tensions that have emerged. But there will still be questions - what does the US gain out of it? And what kind of link might there be between events in North America and the status of the two Michaels in China?
Last month, a Chinese court convicted Michael Spavor, a businessman, of espionage and sentenced him to 11 years in prison.Last month, a Chinese court convicted Michael Spavor, a businessman, of espionage and sentenced him to 11 years in prison.
Canada condemned the sentence, saying his trial did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law.Canada condemned the sentence, saying his trial did not satisfy even the minimum standards required by international law.
Ren Zhengfei described the arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou as politically motivatedRen Zhengfei described the arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou as politically motivated