Judge, lawyers discuss how Meng Wanzhou extradition hearings will move forward during pandemic
BC SUPREME COURT is looking at ways to proceed with the
extradition hearing of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. CFO Meng Wanzhou despite
social distancing measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
According to court documents, Meng and her lawyers – as well
as Crown prosecutors – met via teleconference with associate chief justice
Heather Holmes on Monday to discuss ways the hearings would continue. Options
include a plan proposed by the defence that would require Meng to appear in
court only if she wins the extradition hearings decision and avoids being
extradited to the United States.
The court last left off with the Crown and defence arguing
whether Meng's alleged activities, which, according to U.S. Department of
Justice officials, include violating sanctions in Iran, stealing trade secrets
and money laundering - constitute crimes in Canada and therefore satisfy one of
the key requirements for extradition. Holmes said she is unlikely to release
her decision on that matter in the near future.
The case is adjourned until the next case management hearing
on April 27, which will likely also be done through teleconferencing. Court
cases in Canada have been suspended in Canada as hearings have been cancelled
due to COVID-19, but Crown prosecutors said the uniqueness of the Meng case
requires it to move forward.
The Meng case is one of the highest-profile legal
proceedings in history and has been noted as the main cause of a sharp chilling
of Canada-China ties since late 2018, when Meng was arrested at YVR while
connecting from Hong Kong to Latin America.
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