A Canadian judge has granted bail to Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
The 46-year-old chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies was arrested by Canadian authorities on December 1 at the request of the US.
In a courtroom sketch, Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies, sits beside a translator during a bail hearing. Source: AP
She faces US accusations of misleading multinational banks about Huawei's control of a company operating in Iran, putting the banks at risk of violating US sanctions, and incurring severe penalties, court documents said.
US officials allege Huawei was trying to use the banks to move money out of Iran. Huawei and its lawyers have said the company operates in strict compliance with applicable laws, regulations and sanctions of the US and other parties.
Canadian prosecutors argued against giving Meng bail while she awaits extradition to the US, but a Canadian judge ruled in favour of granting her bail on Wednesday.
Meng said she should be released on bail while awaiting an extradition hearing because of severe hypertension and fears for her health.
With the Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou due to again appear in court, China has taken aim at Canada. Source: AAP
In a sworn affidavit, Meng said she is innocent of the allegations and will contest them at trial in the US if she is surrendered there.
She was detained while transferring flights and appeared in a British Columbia court on Friday for her bail hearing. After nearly six hours of arguments and counter arguments, the hearing was adjourned until Monday.
China has strongly criticised her detention and demanded her immediate release, threatening "consequences" for Canada. Her arrest has roiled global markets as investors worry it could halt attempts to ease trade tensions between the US and China.
Speaking in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said it was "totally up to Canada" what the consequences would be if it did not "correctly handle" the situation with Meng.
Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada at the request of the United States. Source: ABACA
Meng, the daughter of Huawei's founder, has been held in custody since her arrest.
At issue is whether Meng should be set free while her extradition case proceeds. The US has 60 days to file a formal request. If its evidence convinces a judge the case has merit, Canada's justice minister will decide whether to extradite Meng.
