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Huawei CFO’s attorneys ask for US extradition to be withdrawn

Canada isn't an international police force, Huawei attorneys say.

Oscar Gonzalez Former staff reporter
Oscar Gonzalez is a Texas native who covered video games, conspiracy theories, misinformation and cryptocurrency.
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Oscar Gonzalez
2 min read

In late 2018, Canadian authorities arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver, Canada, at the request of the US over alleged Iran sanctions violations. As the extradition process continues, her attorneys are pushing for the government to withdraw the proceedings. 

Meng's lawyers sent David Lametti, the Canadian minister of Justice, a written submission to reconsider extradition proceedings, the law firm said Monday. They argue that Canada doesn't have the jurisdiction to prosecute her for the alleged actions, which aren't an offense in Canada since the US is the country with sanction laws prohibiting business dealings with Iran. 

"Canada does not act as an international police force," Meng's attorney said in a statement. "All of the allegations relevant to the extradition request occurred in a foreign state (Hong Kong), involving a foreign national (Ms. Meng) and a foreign bank. None of the conduct occurred in the United States or Canada. No alleged victim resided in Canada. No aspect of any fact violated any Canadian law."

Meng, daughter of Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei, is currently under house arrest in Canada as she awaits extradition. Prior to her arrest, she reportedly was looking to leave the company

Huawei's troubles in the US ramped up in May when President Donald Trump banned the company with a national security order. Since then, other tech companies such as Facebook and Google have distanced themselves from the Chinese company resulting in a $30 billion loss in revenue

The US Justice Department, which is pressing for Meng's extradition, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.