Huawei Technologies Finance Director Meng Wanzhou has been released from Canada after 3 years under house arrest. He also returned to China.
"My life was turned upside down. This was a really disturbing moment for me. But everything has a silver lining. I will not forget the prayers of all the people from around the world," said Meng after being released.
Meng immediately boarded Air China from Canada to Shenzhen, China, as reported by AFP. Previously, Meng had spent the last three years under house arrest in Vancouver, Canada.
He faces an extradition hearing to the US to face fraud charges related to a Huawei subsidiary selling equipment in Iran. This business move is considered a violation of US sanctions against Iran.
The case against Meng Wanzhou has sparked tensions in diplomatic relations between China, the US and Canada. Meng's detention by Canadian authorities on behalf of the US government relates to allegations of fraud against HSBC Bank and wire fraud, in which she is accused of concealing business ties with Iran by Skycom, a Huawei subsidiary.
The Washington Post reported that Meng admitted to helping Huawei cover up business deals with Iran. But he still maintains his innocence. In exchange for his confession, US prosecutors agreed to suspend the charges against Meng until December 1, 2022, and eventually drop them if Meng persisted with the deal.
Meng's release was the result of back-and-forth negotiations between America - Canada - China. From the results of these negotiations, China also released 2 Canadian citizens from detention on charges of espionage, namely businessman Michael Spavor and former diplomat Michael Korvig.
Hours after Meng Wanzhou flew back to China, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that 2 Canadians had been released and were on their way home with Canada's Ambassador to China Dominic Burton.
