Canada arrests Huawei CFO at US request for alleged sanctions violations

Canadian authorities have arrested the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies at the request of the US government. The US has requested extradition on suspicion that Huawei has violated US sanctions against Iran.

According to the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail, Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on Saturday at the request of the American authorities. According to a spokesperson for the Canadian Justice, a decision will be made on Friday whether the top woman will be released on bail.

An unnamed Canadian law enforcement source reports that this revolves around attempts by the top woman to circumvent the US trade embargo on Iran. Six months ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that US prosecutors in New York were investigating whether Huawei has ignored the sanctions. According to the US, Huawei has been supplying US products to Iran since 2016, violating sanctions rules and export laws.

Meng Wanzhou is not only the chief financial officer, but also the vice chairman of the board of directors of Huawei and the daughter of the founder of the Chinese company. It is not clear whether she was arrested specifically as a person or purely in her capacity as a top woman and representative of Huawei.

Huawei has responded to the arrest. The company confirms the extradition requested by the US, speaks of “unspecified allegations” and says it has complied with all applicable rules. The Chinese embassy in Ottawa has asked for the immediate release of the Huawei executive.

US Senator and Senate Intelligence Committee member Marco Rubio has welcomed Canada’s arrest. He also called on Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau not to partner with Huawei regarding the purchase of 5G equipment. Rubio believes that Huawei has direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese government, and that the company has long posed a serious risk to US national security.