In a historic judgement, Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou&nbsp;has been freed from all charges by a Canadian judge.

British Columbia Supreme Court Associate Chief&nbsp;Justice&nbsp;Heather Holmes&nbsp;announced that the Huawei Technologies’ chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou should be allowed to return to China. The judge has also ordered the authorities to lift her bail conditions immediately.

"I've signed the order of discharge," Holmes said towards the end of the announcement of his short hearing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unacceptable-and-unjust-justin-trudeau-slams-chinas-jail-sentence-for-canadian-michael-spavor-404592">'Unacceptable and unjust': Justin Trudeau slams China's jail sentence for Canadian Michael Spavor</a>

This decision has brought an end to Wanzhou’s three-year-long legal case due to which she was not allowed to leave Canada. She had been detained in Canada since 2018.

The 49-year-old Chinese citizen was detained by Canadian authorities in December 2018 at the Vancouver International Airport&nbsp;on special request of the United States.

Wanzhou spent three years in Canada fighting extradition to the US where was to be charged for fraud with regards to Huawei subsidary’s sale of equipment in Iran which was considered as a violation of sanctions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/huawei-cfo-says-hsbc-emails-disprove-basis-for-us-extradition-claim-394874">Huawei CFO says HSBC emails disprove basis for US extradition claim</a>

"Over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down," she said in English. "It was (a) disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and company executive."

However, "I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life... As the saying goes, the greater the difficulty, the greater the growth," she added.

After the decision, Meng has been legally allowed to leave Canada, as per a statement issued by Canada’s justice department. A couple of hours after the decision was announced, Wanzhou left Canada for China on a flight, as per TV images.&nbsp;

In a historic judgement, Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has been freed from all charges by a Canadian judge. British Columbia Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes announced that the Huawei Technologies’ chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou should be allowed to return to China.

In a historic judgement, Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou has been freed from all charges by a Canadian judge. British Columbia Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes announced that the Huawei Technologies’ chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou should be allowed to return to China. The judge has also ordered the authorities to lift her bail conditions immediately. "I've signed the order of discharge," Holmes said towards the end of the announcement of his short hearing. Also read | 'Unacceptable and unjust': Justin Trudeau slams China's jail sentence for Canadian Michael Spavor This decision has brought an end to Wanzhou’s three-year-long legal case due to which she was not allowed to leave Canada. She had been detained in Canada since 2018. The 49-year-old Chinese citizen was detained by Canadian authorities in December 2018 at the Vancouver International Airport on special request of the United States. Wanzhou spent three years in Canada fighting extradition to the US where was to be charged for fraud with regards to Huawei subsidary’s sale of equipment in Iran which was considered as a violation of sanctions. Also read | Huawei CFO says HSBC emails disprove basis for US extradition claim "Over the past three years, my life has been turned upside down," she said in English. "It was (a) disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and company executive." However, "I believe every cloud has a silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life... As the saying goes, the greater the difficulty, the greater the growth," she added. After the decision, Meng has been legally allowed to leave Canada, as per a statement issued by Canada’s justice department. A couple of hours after the decision was announced, Wanzhou left Canada for China on a flight, as per TV images.

Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou free to leave Canada, judge rules

Huawei's CFO&nbsp;Meng Wanzhou maintained complete silence and offered no comment on reported claims of a new plea deal during her&nbsp;court battle against extradition to the United States.

Wanzhou was met with reporters and cameras upon stepping out en route the respective court in Canada. However,&nbsp;Wanzhou maintained complete silence, ignoring all questions thrown her way, AFP reported.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-talks-with-huawei-cfo-meng-on-resolving-criminal-charges-347353">US in talks with Huawei CFO Meng on resolving criminal charges</a>

After fighting a two-year-long battle against&nbsp;extradition over charges Huawei violated US sanctions on Iran, reports suggest the businesswoman's team of lawyers are now working out a new plea deal for her with a possible "deferred prosecution agreement".

As per reports, Meng's lawyers are working out a new plea deal for her as per which she will admit to some of the fraud and conspiracy charges related to the alleged violations and will be allowed to return to China. However, there were signs of reluctance from the Huawei executive towards such a deal where she would have to admit to any wrongdoing.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/detained-huawei-execs-team-accuses-canada-police-of-cover-up-345726">Detained Huawei exec's team accuses Canada police of 'cover up'</a>

Her lawyers are also claiming her rights have been violated during the process of her arrest and that she has been a victim of political persecution and the US is simply&nbsp;attacking Huawei to contain China's advances in technology.

Officials, too, will be testifying this week about Meng's arrest. Talking about the same, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Ross Lundie said he feels "uncomfortable"&nbsp;&nbsp;assisting the FBI.&nbsp;"I'm not there to provide information or to act on behalf of the FBI," he said under cross-examination. "I work for the RCMP."

Meng has been in Canada since her arrest in 2018 during a stopover in&nbsp;Vancouver. Canada has refused several tries by China to bring back Meng. China has, as Canada claims, retaliated by detaining two Canadian citizens — Canadians Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor on suspicions of espionage.&nbsp;Meng's arrest started a decline in the relationship between Beijing and Ottawa.

The extradition hearing is scheduled to wrap up in April 2021.

Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou maintained complete silence and offered no comment on reported claims of a new plea deal during her court battle against extradition to the United States.

Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou maintained complete silence and offered no comment on reported claims of a new plea deal during her court battle against extradition to the United States. Wanzhou was met with reporters and cameras upon stepping out en route the respective court in Canada. However, Wanzhou maintained complete silence, ignoring all questions thrown her way, AFP reported. Also read| US in talks with Huawei CFO Meng on resolving criminal charges After fighting a two-year-long battle against extradition over charges Huawei violated US sanctions on Iran, reports suggest the businesswoman's team of lawyers are now working out a new plea deal for her with a possible "deferred prosecution agreement". As per reports, Meng's lawyers are working out a new plea deal for her as per which she will admit to some of the fraud and conspiracy charges related to the alleged violations and will be allowed to return to China. However, there were signs of reluctance from the Huawei executive towards such a deal where she would have to admit to any wrongdoing. Also read| Detained Huawei exec's team accuses Canada police of 'cover up' Her lawyers are also claiming her rights have been violated during the process of her arrest and that she has been a victim of political persecution and the US is simply attacking Huawei to contain China's advances in technology. Officials, too, will be testifying this week about Meng's arrest. Talking about the same, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sergeant Ross Lundie said he feels "uncomfortable" assisting the FBI. "I'm not there to provide information or to act on behalf of the FBI," he said under cross-examination. "I work for the RCMP." Meng has been in Canada since her arrest in 2018 during a stopover in Vancouver. Canada has refused several tries by China to bring back Meng. China has, as Canada claims, retaliated by detaining two Canadian citizens — Canadians Michael Kovrig, a former diplomat, and Michael Spavor on suspicions of espionage. Meng's arrest started a decline in the relationship between Beijing and Ottawa. The extradition hearing is scheduled to wrap up in April 2021.

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou maintains silence amid rumours of plea deal

Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers return to a Canadian court on Monday to press for her release, arguing the US misled Canada about her alleged crimes to secure her detention on foreign soil.

According to court filings, the defense&nbsp;will say that the crux of the US charges against Meng,&nbsp;that she hid Huawei's relationship with former subsidiary Skycom in Iran from HSBC bank,&nbsp;is false and lacks context.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-court-blocks-release-of-intelligence-documents-to-huaweis-meng-wanzhou-323085">Canada court blocks release of intelligence documents to Huawei's Meng Wanzhou</a>

"Putting such a misleading and incomplete record before this court disqualifies it from continuing these proceedings," the document said.

A Canadian court in August blocked Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's request for intelligence documents over national security concerns.

To this end, China’s embassy in Canada said Ottawa was “accomplice to United States efforts to bring down Huawei and Chinese high-tech companies.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-huawei-executive-meng-wanzhou-183193">Who is Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou?</a>

Meng, a Chinese citizen and daughter of Huawei’s billionaire founder Ren Zheng, was arrested in December 2018 on a warrant issued by US authorities. They accused her of bank fraud for misleading HSBC about Huawei’s relationship with a company operating in Iran, putting HSBC at risk of fines and penalties for breaking US sanctions on Tehran. Meng had consistently denied the charges.

The Huawei executive's lawyers had sought access to the sensitive documents to support claims of abuse of process during her arrest, however, Justice Catherine Kane said that documents "is not relevant to the allegations of abuse of process described by counsel for Ms. Meng."

Canadian government lawyers had earlier said that it has released as much information as it legally can on Meng's arrest as her lawyers pushed for the release of more documents to support their claim that the Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng.

Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers return to a Canadian court on Monday to press for her release, arguing the US misled Canada about her alleged crimes to secure her detention on foreign soil.

Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and her lawyers return to a Canadian court on Monday to press for her release, arguing the US misled Canada about her alleged crimes to secure her detention on foreign soil. According to court filings, the defense will say that the crux of the US charges against Meng, that she hid Huawei's relationship with former subsidiary Skycom in Iran from HSBC bank, is false and lacks context. Also read: Canada court blocks release of intelligence documents to Huawei's Meng Wanzhou "Putting such a misleading and incomplete record before this court disqualifies it from continuing these proceedings," the document said. A Canadian court in August blocked Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's request for intelligence documents over national security concerns. To this end, China’s embassy in Canada said Ottawa was “accomplice to United States efforts to bring down Huawei and Chinese high-tech companies.” Also read: Who is Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou? Meng, a Chinese citizen and daughter of Huawei’s billionaire founder Ren Zheng, was arrested in December 2018 on a warrant issued by US authorities. They accused her of bank fraud for misleading HSBC about Huawei’s relationship with a company operating in Iran, putting HSBC at risk of fines and penalties for breaking US sanctions on Tehran. Meng had consistently denied the charges. The Huawei executive's lawyers had sought access to the sensitive documents to support claims of abuse of process during her arrest, however, Justice Catherine Kane said that documents "is not relevant to the allegations of abuse of process described by counsel for Ms. Meng." Canadian government lawyers had earlier said that it has released as much information as it legally can on Meng's arrest as her lawyers pushed for the release of more documents to support their claim that the Canadian and American authorities committed abuses of process while questioning Meng.

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to accuse US of misleading Canada in extradition case

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-executive-facing-extradition-to-appear-in-canada-court-217056">Huawei's chief financial officer</a> intends to seek a stay on extradition proceedings in part based on statements by resident Donald Trump about the case, which her lawyers say disqualifies the United States from pursuing the matter in Canada.

Meng Wanzhou, 47, the daughter of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-defence-secretary-fired-over-huawei-leaks-denies-involvement-215329">Huawei </a>Technologies billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December on a US warrant and is fighting extradition on fraud charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran.

Meng's defence lawyers said in a document that she has been unlawfully detained in Canada and that there is no evidence she misrepresented to a bank Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran called Skycom, thereby putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions law, or that the bank relied on her statements.

The bank has been identified as HSBC. HSBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Huawei has previously said Skycom was a local business partner in Iran, while the United States maintains it was an unofficial subsidiary used to conceal Huawei's Iran business.

Meng defence lawyer Scott Fenton told the court that during her three-hour detention in December, Meng's rights "were placed in total suspension."

The lawyers also claim Meng cannot be extradited because Canada should not extradite a person to face punishment for conduct that is not criminal in Canada.

The bank and wire fraud charges do not meet those criteria because Meng is accused of encouraging HSBC to engage in transactions that violate US sanctions laws. But there would be no risk of fines or forfeiture for any bank in Canada.

Meng will next appear in court on September 23, when her defence will make more applications for more disclosure. No date has been yet set for an extradition hearing, a process that could take years.

Huawei's chief financial officer intends to seek a stay on extradition proceedings in part based on statements by resident Donald Trump about the case, which her lawyers say disqualifies the United States from pursuing the matter in Canada.

Huawei's chief financial officer intends to seek a stay on extradition proceedings in part based on statements by resident Donald Trump about the case, which her lawyers say disqualifies the United States from pursuing the matter in Canada. Meng Wanzhou, 47, the daughter of Huawei Technologies billionaire founder Ren Zhengfei, was arrested at Vancouver's airport in December on a US warrant and is fighting extradition on fraud charges that she misled global banks about Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran. Meng's defence lawyers said in a document that she has been unlawfully detained in Canada and that there is no evidence she misrepresented to a bank Huawei's relationship with a company operating in Iran called Skycom, thereby putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions law, or that the bank relied on her statements. The bank has been identified as HSBC. HSBC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Huawei has previously said Skycom was a local business partner in Iran, while the United States maintains it was an unofficial subsidiary used to conceal Huawei's Iran business. Meng defence lawyer Scott Fenton told the court that during her three-hour detention in December, Meng's rights "were placed in total suspension." The lawyers also claim Meng cannot be extradited because Canada should not extradite a person to face punishment for conduct that is not criminal in Canada. The bank and wire fraud charges do not meet those criteria because Meng is accused of encouraging HSBC to engage in transactions that violate US sanctions laws. But there would be no risk of fines or forfeiture for any bank in Canada. Meng will next appear in court on September 23, when her defence will make more applications for more disclosure. No date has been yet set for an extradition hearing, a process that could take years.

Huawei CFO to seek extradition stay citing Trump comments

China on Saturday asked the Canadian government to stop the process of extraditing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canada-approves-extradition-process-of-huawei-former-cfo-meng-wanzhou-200597">Meng Wanzhou</a>, the CFO of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, to the United States.

"The US and Canada abuse of their extradition rules is a severe violation of the legitimate rights of a Chinese citizen," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang.

The Canadian Department of Justice on Friday had authorized the formal process to begin the extradition of Meng, daughter of the founder of Huawei, who was arrested on December 1 in the Canadian city of Vancouver, while she was on her way to Mexico.

"This is a serious political event. We once again urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant and extradition request for Meng Wanzhou," said Lu, adding that the two countries should immediately release Meng and allow her a safe passage to China.

In January, the US Department of Justice had accused Meng, Huawei, and two affiliated companies, of 13 counts of fraud and conspiracy to bypass the sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran.

Meng is currently out on bail but is forbidden to leave her mansion in Vancouver and will have to appear on March 6 before the Supreme Court of British Columbia for the beginning of the extradition process.

This decision threatens to aggravate a serious diplomatic crisis between Canada and China, following Meng's arrest last December.

China had retaliated by arresting two Canadians, a diplomat Michael Kovrig and a businessman Michael Spavor, over charges of endangering China's national security.

Both remain in prison, with restricted access to Canadian diplomatic representatives as well as their lawyers.

The Chinese Embassy in Canada also commented on the Canadian Justice's decision, describing the situation as political persecution of a high-tech Chinese company.

"If Canada really abides by the principle of rule of law and judiciary independence, the Canadian side should refuse the extradition request of the United States and immediately release Ms Meng Wanzhou," said an embassy spokesperson.

The way in which the Canadian court will "handle this case will be a touchstone for testing whether Canada adheres to judicial independence or not. We will wait and see," concluded the spokesperson.

China on Saturday asked the Canadian government to stop the process of extraditing Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, to the United States.

China on Saturday asked the Canadian government to stop the process of extraditing Meng Wanzhou, the CFO of Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, to the United States. "The US and Canada abuse of their extradition rules is a severe violation of the legitimate rights of a Chinese citizen," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lu Kang. The Canadian Department of Justice on Friday had authorized the formal process to begin the extradition of Meng, daughter of the founder of Huawei, who was arrested on December 1 in the Canadian city of Vancouver, while she was on her way to Mexico. "This is a serious political event. We once again urge the US to immediately withdraw the arrest warrant and extradition request for Meng Wanzhou," said Lu, adding that the two countries should immediately release Meng and allow her a safe passage to China. In January, the US Department of Justice had accused Meng, Huawei, and two affiliated companies, of 13 counts of fraud and conspiracy to bypass the sanctions imposed by Washington on Iran. Meng is currently out on bail but is forbidden to leave her mansion in Vancouver and will have to appear on March 6 before the Supreme Court of British Columbia for the beginning of the extradition process. This decision threatens to aggravate a serious diplomatic crisis between Canada and China, following Meng's arrest last December. China had retaliated by arresting two Canadians, a diplomat Michael Kovrig and a businessman Michael Spavor, over charges of endangering China's national security. Both remain in prison, with restricted access to Canadian diplomatic representatives as well as their lawyers. The Chinese Embassy in Canada also commented on the Canadian Justice's decision, describing the situation as political persecution of a high-tech Chinese company. "If Canada really abides by the principle of rule of law and judiciary independence, the Canadian side should refuse the extradition request of the United States and immediately release Ms Meng Wanzhou," said an embassy spokesperson. The way in which the Canadian court will "handle this case will be a touchstone for testing whether Canada adheres to judicial independence or not. We will wait and see," concluded the spokesperson.

China asks Canada to stop extradition of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou to US

China urges US to drop Huawei CFO extradition