The financial director of Chinese technology company Huawei has been arrested in Vancouver. She is in danger of being extradited to the United States.
The company is suspected of violating US sanctions against Iran, reports the Canadian Ministry of Justice.
Meng Wanzhou was arrested on December 1st. The judge will decide on Friday whether they can be released on bail, the ministry reports.
Daughter
Wanzhou is one of the vice-presidents on the board of the Chinese technology company. She is also the daughter of founder Ren Zhengfei.
The authorities in the US are trying to get Huawei to court since 2016 on suspicion of shipping products made in the US to Iran and other countries. That would be contrary to American export laws and sanctions.
The Chinese embassy in Canada objects to the arrest of Meng and has demanded her immediate release in a statement on the website.
Huawei confirmed her arrest during a transfer in Canada and said she had received little information about the charges against Meng. The company says it is not known, “with some wrongful action by Mrs. Meng.” The telecommunications company also states that it complies with all US export laws and sanctions.
The American government previously tried to convince telecom and internet providers in various countries not to use Huawei telecom equipment. According to the United States, there is a risk that the Chinese can spy into the equipment through a back door.
This summer, President Trump signed a law that largely bans the use of Huawei technology with the US government. The ban that will take effect in the next two years applies not only to US government services but also to companies that work on behalf of the government.