Published: 16:10, July 24, 2020 | Updated: 21:40, June 5, 2023
Meng's lawyers ask Canadian court to stay extradition
By Xinhua

Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, leaves her home to go to the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, on May 27, 2020. (JONATHAN HAYWARD / THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP)

OTTAWA - Lawyers of Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou have applied to a Canadian court for a stay in the proceedings for her extradition to the United States, Reuters quoted documents released on Thursday as saying.

Noting that US President Donald Trump and other senior members of the administration intend to use Meng "as a bargaining chip in a trade dispute," Meng's lawyers said that Trump's stated willingness to intervene in the case is "offensive and ominous"

Noting that US President Donald Trump and other senior members of the administration intend to use Meng "as a bargaining chip in a trade dispute," Meng's lawyers said that Trump's stated willingness to intervene in the case is "offensive and ominous."

ALSO READ: US accused of double standards on rights

Meng's lawyers also said that the United States misled Canada about the evidence in Meng's case, calling the omission "far below the expected standard of diligence, candour and accuracy," according to the documents.

Meng was arrested on Dec 1, 2018 at Vancouver International Airport at the request of the United States, which is seeking her extradition on fraud charges. Both Meng and Huawei have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in May that China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a Canadian court's ruling on the case against Meng, and has made solemn representations to Canada on the issue.

ALSO READ: Canada should deal with Meng case prudently

Last month, Zhao said that the case is a "serious political incident," which has revealed the US' political calculations to purposefully suppress Huawei and other Chinese tech companies.

On June 15, Meng's lawyers filed a memo of arguments with the Supreme Court of British Columbia to fight extradition to the United States on bank fraud charges. 

READ MORE: Experts urge Canada to make own China policy