The US no longer wants to prosecute Chinese Huawei CEO Meng Wanzhou for fraud and breaking a trade embargo with Iran. A deal with the US prosecutor should clear the way for Meng’s return to China.
Meng became in december 2018 Arrested at the Canadian airport of Vancouver at the request of the US, just before a round of important trade talks between Beijing and the Trump administration. The arrest of the daughter of the founder of Huawei further deteriorated the already cool relationship between the two countries.
The US accused Meng of violating the trade embargo against Iran through a Huawei subsidiary by selling computer parts. The country requested extradition to try her for fraud. Meng denies guilt.
Probation
The prosecutor now wants to waive charges if Meng adheres to certain conditions during a four-year probation period. What those are has not yet been announced. The prosecutor still wants to continue the lawsuit against the IT and telecom giant Huawei.
The US foregoing a lawsuit against Meng could improve relations with China. It may also have consequences for the case of two Canadian citizens who were arrested in China after Meng’s arrest. One of them has since been sentenced to 11 years in prison for espionage.
Huawei has not yet commented on the US decision. Because a Canadian judge has yet to officially consider the American proposal, it is not yet clear when Meng can go home.
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