Huawei Vice Chair Meng Wanzhou Heads to China After Release

Released After 2 Years and 9 Months Following Settlement with U.S. Department of Justice

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Meng Wanzhou, Vice Chairwoman of China's Huawei, who was released in Canada following a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, departed for China on the 24th (local time).

According to foreign media on the 25th, Meng Wanzhou boarded a flight to China after being released following 2 years and 9 months in detention.

Shortly after the Canadian court dismissed the extradition trial against Meng and issued a release order, footage captured by Canadian broadcasters showed her boarding a flight to Shenzhen (Shenzhen), China.

On the same day, the U.S. Department of Justice reached a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) to drop the financial fraud charges against Meng in exchange for her partial admission of wrongdoing related to Iran sanctions. Under this agreement, the U.S. Department of Justice agrees to defer prosecution for a certain period as long as the defendant complies with specific terms of the agreement.

Meng was arrested by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport in December 2018 at the request of the U.S. government. Since then, U.S. prosecutors have been pursuing her extradition from Canada.