WSJ "US DOJ Negotiating with Huawei's Meng Wanzhou for Deferred Prosecution if Guilty Plea Accepted"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Reports have emerged that the U.S. Department of Justice has entered negotiations to conditionally release Meng Wanzhou, Vice Chairwoman of the Chinese IT giant Huawei. The plan would allow Meng to return to China if she pleads guilty.

On the 3rd (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing sources, reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is negotiating a deal with Meng, who was arrested in Canada in December 2018, to defer prosecution if she admits guilt.

Meng Wanzhou (center), Vice Chairwoman and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Huawei, China [Photo by Yonhap News]

Meng Wanzhou is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei and the company's Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S. and is currently under house arrest in Vancouver awaiting trial.

Meng faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. China has strongly protested and demanded her release.

The ongoing negotiations involve Meng admitting to some of the charges, with U.S. prosecutors conditionally deferring and potentially withdrawing the indictment in exchange for her cooperation. While the Department of Justice often negotiates with corporations, it is unusual to conduct such negotiations with an individual. Meng is reportedly refusing the negotiations, maintaining her innocence. However, if an agreement is reached, Meng would be allowed to return to China.

Additionally, the strained relationship between China and Canada would be alleviated. China had retaliated by detaining Canadians within its borders in response to Meng’s arrest.