Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou will appear in court on Friday to settle the charges, report says

OTTAWA – A news report that US justice officials are about to sign a deferred prosecution agreement with Huawei Technologies executive Meng Wanzhou means the long-running extradition dispute over the star’s arrest Chinese corporate in Canada could finally end.

Ultimately, it could lead to a breakthrough in the cases of the “two Michaels,” Kovrig and Spavor, who remain incarcerated in China, the latter convicted on national security charges, and Kovrig, the licensed Canadian diplomat, who remains in The limb.

Reuters reported Friday that Meng, who has been under house arrest in Vancouver since his arrest in December 2018 on a US extradition warrant, will make a surprise virtual appearance in a New York courtroom.

Canadian officials did not immediately confirm the report.

However, if the reports are true, the US authorities would have to formally withdraw the request made through Global Affairs.

Meng’s arrest and unrelated allegations that Huawei has also been stealing American intellectual property have become a major irritant between the United States and China, two superpower economies. Canada has been caught between them.

US authorities accused Meng of fraud, based on allegations that he misled HSBC about Huawei’s business in Iran in violation of US sanctions against that country.

Based on those charges, the RCMP arrested Meng in Vancouver, and days later Chinese authorities arrested Michael Kovrig, who was a Canadian diplomat on leave working with the International Crisis Group, and Michael Spavor, a Chinese-based Canadian businessman. who worked to build business ties. with South Korea.

Meng has been under house arrest, released on bail, and living in one of his two glamorous Vancouver mansions.

If all charges are dropped, as well as the extradition request, he could leave Canada free on Friday.

A Canadian Justice Department official told the Star that “we are aware of the current situation in the United States regarding Meng Wanzhou,” but directed all questions about “the details of this proceeding should be directed to the US Department of Justice. USA”.

The Prime Minister’s Office rejected any comment on the events.

More to come.