On Friday, the extradition case against Meng was closed and the court ordered the bail conditions removed. This means that she has been released and the three-year legal saga is coming to an end.
“I signed the release order,” Justice Heather Holmes said at the brief hearing in which Canadian government lawyers on behalf of the United States requested an adjournment of the proceedings and the removal of the caution.
The BC Supreme Court ruling came after Meng struck a deal with U.S. prosecutors to avoid being charged with fraud.
Thanks for the support – traveled the same day
Meng spent nearly three years under house arrest in Vancouver. Outside the city courthouse, Meng thanked the judge, his supporters, Chinese authorities and even Canadian authorities for “obeying the law.”
– Over the past three years, my life has changed. It has been an outrageous time for me as a mother, wife and leader, Meng said, adding:
– I think behind the clouds the sky is blue. It was an invaluable experience in my life. And as they say, its greatest resistance, its greatest growth.
At the same time, the Canadian Department of Justice sent a declaration which confirms that Meng can now leave the country freely. Meng did so soon after. Television footage shows she boarded an Air China plane bound for the southeastern city of Shenzhen.
Agreement in place
Earlier on Friday, a hearing on the Meng case was held in New York. Here, the US Department of Justice said they had struck a deal with her.
Meng has agreed not to challenge the presentation by US authorities of certain facts described in a document that has yet to be released.
If it sticks to the deal, the fraud allegations will be dropped. In the same deal, the United States withdrew its extradition request, which allowed Meng to return to China.
Arrested in 2018
Meng was arrested in Canada in 2018 due to an extradition request from the United States. She has been accused by US authorities of fraud and violations of US sanctions against Iran. She always said she was innocent and the case was politically motivated.
Meng is the chief financial officer of Huawei and the daughter of the founder of the Chinese telecommunications giant, Ren Zhengfei.
Meng’s arrest and detention helped worsen Canada-China relations. Shortly after Meng’s arrest, two Canadian nationals were arrested in China.
China frees two Canadians
In August, businessman Michael Spavor was convicted of espionage and the illegal sharing of state secrets. He was sentenced to eleven years in prison by a court in Dandong City.
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig has also been charged with similar offenses. The cases have led to a very strained relationship between Canada and China. They both went in camera and Canadians have expressed serious concerns about the lack of transparency.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that the two had been released and had “left Chinese airspace and returned home.” They will arrive on Saturday, Trudeau said at a press conference in Ottawa.
(© NTB)
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”