Beijing says charges against Meng Wanzhou 'nothing but fabrication' as extradition hearing enters final week
In its first official remarks on the case since the start of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou’s extradition hearing, China’s Foreign Ministry referred to the U.S. fraud charges against Meng as “a political event through and through.”
“The U.S. fraud accusations against (Meng) are nothing but fabrication,” spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a regularly scheduled news conference Monday in Beijing, according to the English translation posted on the foreign ministry’s website.
On Monday, Meng’s lawyers resumed their arguments before a B.C Supreme Court judge that the U.S. has not provided sufficient evidence for the judge to extradite Meng, a process known as “committal.”
Last week, Meng’s defence team called the U.S. record of the case, which Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes must rely on to make her decision, “fatally flawed.”
According to their written arguments, defence says the evidence presented shows no deception by Meng, no loss by HSBC bank, and “not even a plausible theory of risk.”
Meng is accused of misrepresenting Huawei’s relationship with Skycom, a subsidiary doing business in Iran, to HSBC bank.
U.S. prosecutors say her actions put the bank at risk of violating sanctions in that country.
Meng has repeatedly denied the charges.
“We urge the U.S. side to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant and extradition request for (Meng) and urge the Canadian side to immediately release (Meng) and ensure her safe return to China with dignity,” Hua said.
Last week, lawyers for Canada’s attorney general argued that there is some evidence that shows Meng “deliberately made dishonest representations” to the bank.
On Wednesday, Robert Frater, Q.C., told Holmes: “The evidence of dishonesty in this case is abundantly clear.”
Holmes will decide whether or not there is enough evidence to commit Meng for trial in Canada, had her alleged crimes occurred here.
The judge has not yet given a timeline for her decision, though it’s widely expected to take weeks or months.
Holmes is also expected to rule on a number of applications by Meng’s defence team to stay the proceedings based on an alleged “abuse of process,” including that Meng’s Charter rights were violated during her December 2018 questioning and arrest at Vancouver International Airport, that former U.S. president Donald Trump used her as bargaining chip in trade negotiations, and that the U.S. has deliberately misled Canadian courts about the facts of the case.
Missing from Beijing’s briefing Monday was any further mention of the Canadians detained in China.
Last week, a Chinese court sentenced businessman Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison for spying.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau condemned the move, calling the trial a “sham,” and indicated conversations are ongoing with Beijing and Washington to bring the “Two Michaels” home.
Former diplomat Michael Kovrig, who was also detained in China days after Meng’s arrest, has yet to receive his verdict or sentence.
A third Canadian, Robert Schellenberg, had his death sentence for drug trafficking upheld on appeal.
Last week, Hua urged Canada and other countries “to follow the spirit of the rule of law, respect China's judicial sovereignty, and stop making any irresponsible remarks.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.