Canadian court weighs bail for jailed CFO of China's Huawei

[webfact]

Canadian court weighs bail for jailed CFO of China's Huawei

By Julie Gordon

 

FILE PHOTO: A sign in support of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou is displayed outside of the B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing of Meng, who is being held on an extradition warrant in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada December 10, 2018. REUTERS/David Ryder

 

VANCOUVER (Reuters) - A Canadian provincial court weighing whether to grant bail to a top executive of Chinese telecoms giant Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL], who is facing possible extradition to the United States, adjourned on Monday without deciding her fate.

 

U.S. prosecutors want Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou to be extradited to face accusations she misled multinational banks about Huawei's control of a company operating in Iran, putting the banks at risk of violating U.S. sanctions which would incur severe penalties, court documents said.

 

Meng, the 46-year-old daughter of Huawei's founder, was arrested on Dec. 1 as she was changing planes in Vancouver. In a sworn affidavit, she said she is innocent and will contest the allegations against her at trial if she is surrendered to the United States.

 

The judge in Monday's bail hearing said he rolled the proceedings over to Tuesday at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EDT/1800 GMT) because he wants to hear more about the issue of surety - who will take responsibility for Meng's actions if she is released.

 

Meng's lawyer David Martin, who told the court high-tech surveillance devices and a 24-hour security detail would ensure his client does not flee and proposed a C$15 million (8.85 million pounds) bail guarantee, had offered her husband as surety.

 

But the judge and the public prosecutor called into question whether Meng's husband could perform this duty as he is not a resident of British Columbia, where Vancouver is located, and would not suffer if she were to breach her bail conditions.

 

Meng's arrest has roiled markets over fears it would exacerbate tensions between the United States and China, already at a high over tariffs. The two sides have agreed to trade negotiations that must be concluded by March 1.

 

Beijing has demanded Meng's immediate release and threatened "consequences" for Canada. But both Chinese and U.S. officials appear to be avoiding linking her arrest to the trade dispute.

 

Meng's lawyer offered C$14 million in property equity and C$1 million in cash as a guarantee. The public prosecutor said he wanted half in cash and half in property.

 

At one point the judge asked why Meng had avoided travel to the United States since 2017 if not to avoid arrest. Martin cited a "hostile" climate toward Huawei in the United States.

 

"I ask the court to ask itself, what motive could she possibly have to flee?" Martin said, arguing the evidence against her was not overwhelming.

 

"If she were to flee, or breach order in any way ... it doesn't overstate things to say she would embarrass China itself."

 

Meng appeared confident in court early on Monday, smiling and taking her lawyer's arm. But by mid-afternoon she appeared more tense, gesturing rapidly as she conferred with members of her legal team.

 

She has argued she needs to be released because she has severe hypertension and fears for her health.

 

Huawei is the world's largest supplier of telecommunications network equipment and second-biggest maker of smartphones, with revenue of about $92 billion last year. Unlike other big Chinese technology firms, it does much of its business overseas.

 

U.S. officials allege Huawei was trying to use the banks to move money out of Iran. Companies are barred from using the U.S. financial system to funnel goods and services to sanctioned entities.

 

Huawei and its lawyers have said the company operates in strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and sanctions of the United States and other parties.

 

"We will continue to follow the bail hearing tomorrow. We have every confidence that the Canadian and U.S. legal systems will reach a just conclusion," the company said on Monday.

 

(Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing, David Ljunggren in Ottawa and Karen Freifeld in Washington; Writing by Anna Mehler Paperny and Nick Zieminski; Editing by Bill Rigby and Sonya Hepinstall)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-12-11

[Topdoc]

Obama did the same thing...

"The Obama administration gave Iran brief access to the U.S. financial system as part of the Iran nuclear deal"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/06/06/iran-nuclear-deal-obama-team-iran-senate-republicans/677506002/

[zydeco]

If the judge gets weak in the knees and lets her escape back to China, there should be only one answer: embargo all Huawei products from entering the US.

[bristolboy]

7 minutes ago, Topdoc said:

Obama did the same thing...

"The Obama administration gave Iran brief access to the U.S. financial system as part of the Iran nuclear deal"

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/06/06/iran-nuclear-deal-obama-team-iran-senate-republicans/677506002/

No it didn't. The issue in question in the article is about something else entirely. And not only that, but as the article specifically notes:  

"The conversion to dollars, it turns out, never took place. And there is no claim that the license broke U.S. law." 

So it wasn't illegal.

Edited December 11, 2018 by bristolboy

[from the home of CC]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

If she were to flee, or breach order in any way ... it doesn't overstate things to say she would embarrass China itself."

don't believe this is possible...

[pegman]

Canada needs to let her go. Former Liberal Finance Minister Manley had it right when he stated the warrent should not have been honored. Then plead incompatance or some such mistake. To extradite there needs to be the same law in Canada and there is not. We do not have sanctions against Iran. The only reason the Americans do is because the Israel Lobby bought them with election contributions. 

[Boon Mee]

Too many passports

She is a flight risk. 

[car720]

13 minutes ago, pegman said:

Canada needs to let her go. Former Liberal Finance Minister Manley had it right when he stated the warrent should not have been honored. Then plead incompatance or some such mistake. To extradite there needs to be the same law in Canada and there is not. We do not have sanctions against Iran. The only reason the Americans do is because the Israel Lobby bought them with election contributions. 

Agreed.  This is shameful.  The Canadians are acting as enforcers for the US.  Considering that murderers can get an ankle tag then why can't she?  This is all about someone's money being interfered with and absolutely nothing to do with the man in the street.

[MaxYakov]

So, why was she attempting to move money out of Iran? Was it money that was payment for forbidden goods sold to Iran? (I know, I ask too many questions).

[janclaes47]

1 hour ago, car720 said:

Considering that murderers can get an ankle tag then why can't she?

Probably because those murderers don't have access to 7 (?) passports and billions of dollars in money and assets to make fleeing from justice easy.

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

offered her husband as surety. 

But the judge and the public prosecutor called into question whether Meng's husband could perform this duty

He might be happy to be free of his wife.

[300sd]

29 minutes ago, janclaes47 said:

Probably because those murderers don't have access to 7 (?) passports and billions of dollars in money and assets to make fleeing from justice easy.

It is debatable whether one would call this action by Canada "justice".

 

And of course I call it stupid.

[Nilats]

Canada should just stick to its own laws to the dot, nothing more... check, re-check everything very carefully and carry out a decision. I don't think it's wise to change the rule of law just for some foreign interests regardless if it's China or America.

[Nilats]

4 hours ago, car720 said:

Agreed.  This is shameful.  The Canadians are acting as enforcers for the US.  Considering that murderers can get an ankle tag then why can't she?  This is all about someone's money being interfered with and absolutely nothing to do with the man in the street.

I don't really think so... Being enforcers of China is even worse... I'm just saying it like it is. BTW many Mainland China Rich people in Canada have Interests which are deeply inter-connected in Money Laundering, illegal Drug trade - Heroin, Meth etc... sick stuff... The are just outright trashing the place. Questions should have been raised long time ago why the Canadian government doesn't act - with China's Multi-billion dollar operations with lots of Real Estate market manipulation and abuse of the system... with consequences spilling into the streets in the West Coast. As for the human rights abuse in their own country - any of their complaints are totally anecdotal. Let's not pretend like China means well to anybody - it's huge problem with lots of abuse of power, money, human rights - and it will definitely get worse if people don't start paying serious attention.

 

I don't know if it's related, but as for the Rich Mainland China pips in Canada - it would only do good for Canada if all of them were arrested, investigated and deported imo.

[Guest Jerry787]

Canada bent her back to US arrogance.

the game it's only financial and who will control satellite communications and 5G worldwide technology.

well.. the last arrogants rants of an empire who is going to disappear within this century, as did the roman empire and or all the empires... 

the question is who will be the next empire , China ?
 

[Topdoc]

12 minutes ago, Jerry787 said:

the question is who will be the next empire , China ?

Those with the most bullion

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

U.S. officials allege Huawei was trying to use the banks to move money out of Iran. Companies are barred from using the U.S. financial system to funnel goods and services to sanctioned entities.

Most of the large banks in the EU and the US routinely engage in fraud and money laundering.
See any executive being arrested?  No!  The company pays a fine and all is forgiven.  Which makes this about the trade wars and tension between the US and it's adversarial position with China.  If Canada follows though - well, hope neither they nor the US have any corporate execs in China.  Quid pro quo methinks.  Just saying...

[zydeco]

I continue to be slightly bemused by all the (apparent) Westerners whose hatred for their own home countries leads them to sympathize with and support China. As critical as I am of my country, and as much as I wish to remain outside of it, I would never consider the totalitarian hellhole that is China an acceptable alternative. Nor would I ever accept Chinese complaints about human rights violations of the Meng woman when there are one million Uighurs in concentration camps, Tibet undergoing population replacement with Han, and routine executions of people for "corruption," said corrupt people who just happened to oppose Chairman/President for Life/Son of Heaven Xi. 

[Banana7]

She should remain in custody until the extradition trial/hearing. The proposed bail surety is not adequate. She has enormous wealth that can be used to flee the country many different ways, that do not require a passport. The tracking ankle bracelet uses cell phone technology for tracking, and her company experts could probably compromise the device.  

[connda]

Doh! <head-slap>

"Former Canadian Diplomat Detained in China"
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-icg/former-canadian-diplomat-detained-in-china-sources-idUSKBN1OA1EB

Game on!

 

[Redline]

8 hours ago, Jerry787 said:

Canada bent her back to US arrogance.

the game it's only financial and who will control satellite communications and 5G worldwide technology.

well.. the last arrogants rants of an empire who is going to disappear within this century, as did the roman empire and or all the empires... 

the question is who will be the next empire , China ?
 

Canada of course 

[Cryingdick]

6 hours ago, zydeco said:

I continue to be slightly bemused by all the (apparent) Westerners whose hatred for their own home countries leads them to sympathize with and support China. As critical as I am of my country, and as much as I wish to remain outside of it, I would never consider the totalitarian hellhole that is China an acceptable alternative. Nor would I ever accept Chinese complaints about human rights violations of the Meng woman when there are one million Uighurs in concentration camps, Tibet undergoing population replacement with Han, and routine executions of people for "corruption," said corrupt people who just happened to oppose Chairman/President for Life/Son of Heaven Xi. 

 

Completely agree. The people that are so gleeful about anything they think will lead to the demise of the USA are strange creatures. if you don't like the USA and it's influence on the world just watch what happens if China takes over. 

 

To stay on topic if I am Meng I get bail and I get out of Canada by any means necessary. She has enough money that 15 million is peanuts. If they watch the airports she could always leave by boat. She is a very rich woman facing a huge prison sentence.

 

In another thread people argued over 30 or 90 years. Let's take 30, she is 46, she is out at maybe 70 earliest. Federal prison system doesn't allow parole. I think 85% is what is mandatory to serve so that's around 26 years. Also because of the length of the sentence it isn't likely to be federal prison camp. 

[car720]

20 hours ago, janclaes47 said:

Probably because those murderers don't have access to 7 (?) passports and billions of dollars in money and assets to make fleeing from justice easy.

So it is not about the crime then?

It is about the money.

So we don't have a criminal justice case here, we have a financial grab.  Is that correct?

[car720]

9 hours ago, Redline said:

Canada of course 

Not Australia.  We don't want ya.  

[car720]

9 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

Completely agree. The people that are so gleeful about anything they think will lead to the demise of the USA are strange creatures. if you don't like the USA and it's influence on the world just watch what happens if China takes over. 

and of course the US doesn't act as big brother in any way and doesn't operate black sites nor flame the fires of hell in order to sell more arms and just generally are never there.

Their lust for control of oil, their big pharma companies that make squillions from ripping off sick people.  Just to name a few.

[car720]

18 hours ago, Nilats said:

I don't really think so... Being enforcers of China is even worse... I'm just saying it like it is. BTW many Mainland China Rich people in Canada have Interests which are deeply inter-connected in Money Laundering, illegal Drug trade - Heroin, Meth etc... sick stuff... The are just outright trashing the place. Questions should have been raised long time ago why the Canadian government doesn't act - with China's Multi-billion dollar operations with lots of Real Estate market manipulation and abuse of the system... with consequences spilling into the streets in the West Coast. As for the human rights abuse in their own country - any of their complaints are totally anecdotal. Let's not pretend like China means well to anybody - it's huge problem with lots of abuse of power, money, human rights - and it will definitely get worse if people don't start paying serious attention.

 

I don't know if it's related, but as for the Rich Mainland China pips in Canada - it would only do good for Canada if all of them were arrested, investigated and deported imo.

Every word you say is true BUT you forget to ask the one vital question.

Who allowed them to do it?

Who was after all that student gold?

[Redline]

7 hours ago, car720 said:

and of course the US doesn't act as big brother in any way and doesn't operate black sites nor flame the fires of hell in order to sell more arms and just generally are never there.

Their lust for control of oil, their big pharma companies that make squillions from ripping off sick people.  Just to name a few.

Awe, you figured out how the world works-congratulations!

[car720]

13 hours ago, Redline said:

Awe, you figured out how the world works-congratulations!

Yes it has taken me a lifetime to get there I know.

I guess I am not as world experienced as the Germans.

I still have a lot of problem with the hypocracy of it all though.

[Redline]

On 12/13/2018 at 9:55 AM, car720 said:

Yes it has taken me a lifetime to get there I know.

I guess I am not as world experienced as the Germans.

I still have a lot of problem with the hypocracy of it all though.

Yes, most have problems with it-it would be nice if it was all warm and fuzzy 

[natway09]

Why is Canada (a sensible country in my opinion) acting as the law enforcer for the US.

Why can they not do their own dirty work on a charge that is if anything "dubious"

And who does America think they are " the bankers of the world. 

That is why more companies are doing direct business with China using Euro NOT USD.