Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou released on bail in Canada as tensions rise with China

Olivia Feld
Updated
Meng Wanzhou has been bailed while she awaits the outcome of an extradition request by the US - REUTERS
Meng Wanzhou has been bailed while she awaits the outcome of an extradition request by the US - REUTERS

The Chinese executive accused of violating US sanctions against Iran has been granted bail while she awaits an extradition hearing to the US following her arrest in Canada. 

Meng Wanzhou, 46, is facing extradition after she was arrested at Vancouver Airport earlier this month. 

Ms Meng, the chief financial officer of the Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, has been accused of conspiracy to defraud banks after the company allegedly skirted sanctions on Iran. 

Justice William Ehrcke, who presided over her three day bail hearing in Vancouver, set her bail at C$10m (£6m) and placed several other conditions including surrendering her passports and agreeing to remain in British Columbia. 

She must reside in one of her two Vancouver properties between 11pm and 6am, pay for her own security, and will be tracked electronically via an ankle bracket, said the judge. 

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (L), who was arrested on an extradition warrant, appears at her B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing in a drawing in Vancouver, - Credit: Reuters
Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou (L), who was arrested on an extradition warrant, appears at her B.C. Supreme Court bail hearing in a drawing in Vancouver, Credit: Reuters

Huawei said: “We have every confidence in the Canadian and US legal system will reach a just conclusion”.

Ms Meng will return to court in Vancouver on February 6 for further proceedings.

"The risk of her non-attendance in court (for a future extradition hearing) can be reduced to an acceptable level by imposing the bail conditions proposed by her council," the judge said.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would intervene in the Justice Department's case against Ms Meng if it serves national security interests or helps seal a trade deal with China.

When asked if he would intervene with the Justice Department in her case: "Whatever's good for this country, I would do," Mr Trump told the news agency Reuters. 

Supporters hold signs outside the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver during the third day of a bail hearing for Meng Wanzhou - Credit: AP
Supporters hold signs outside the British Columbia Supreme Court in Vancouver during the third day of a bail hearing for Meng Wanzhou Credit: AP

"If I think it's good for what will be certainly the largest trade deal ever made – which is a very important thing – what's good for national security – I would certainly intervene if I thought it was necessary," he added.

The US President also said the White House has spoken with the Justice Department about the case, as well as Chinese officials, but is yet to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"They have not called me yet. They are talking to my people. But they have not called me yet," he said.

As tensions rise between Canada and China, a former Canadian diplomat has been arrested by Chinese authorities.

Canadian Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale on Tuesday confirmed the detention of Michael Kovrig.

"We're deeply concerned," he said. "A Canadian is obviously in difficulty in China. We are sparing no effort to do everything we possibly can to look after his safety."