The extradition case of Chinese huawei‘s chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou resumed on Monday, with Meng’s lawyers arguing that the case is a political manipulation by the United States and that Meng’s constitutional rights have been violated. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that China had arrested two Canadians to pressure Canada to release Meng, but Canada would not give in.
Meng, dressed in black, arrived at the courthouse at around 9:45 a.m. to kick off an important moment in the extradition case. While past hearings have focused on procedural and document disclosure issues, the March trial will be a battle over the legality of the extradition itself. According to documents previously sent to the court by Meng’s legal team, they will make four major arguments, including, first, that the United States used Meng for political and economic gain, including former President Trump‘s public assertion that he was willing to use Meng’s freedom as leverage to reach a trade deal with China. Second, the U.S. and Canada have persistently violated Meng’s constitutional rights. Third, the Trump Administration‘s Department of Justice has deliberately misled Canada by providing documents about Meng’s case to Canadian courts. Fourth, the U.S. alleged and requested Meng’s extradition in violation of international law because there is no connection between Meng’s alleged conduct and the United States.
Canadian prosecutors were also well prepared to submit argumentative documents to the court that countered the defense’s claim that former President Trump’s comments poisoned the entire extradition hearing. The documents mention that Trump has stepped down and no longer has the authority to intervene in the case.
Canadian lawyer Richard Lee said Meng’s lawyers may argue in court that the prosecutor’s argument is already flawed. “It seems to have been implied that if Trump continues to govern, it is possible that he will intervene in the case. For the Trump administration to do all kinds of things, will become the focus of the prosecution and defense.”
According to historical experience, the chance of being released through extradition hearings is very rare, so there are lawyers who say that it is very difficult for Meng’s legal team to win, but after going through all the legal procedures, if Meng still loses the case, the Canadian justice minister still has the right to decide to terminate the extradition.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has always insisted on the independence of the judiciary, so it is not possible to do any political intervention at the moment. In an interview with NBC on Sunday, he said two Canadian citizens, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, were detained by China on “trumped-up national security charges, and China is trying to pressure Canada to release Meng, but Canada is a rule of law country, and we’re not going to do that. We won’t do that.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said the United States will continue to work with Canada to secure the release of the two Canadian citizens being held by China. “The use of people as political pawns is unacceptable behavior for any country. We stand firmly with Canada in demanding China’s immediate and unconditional release of the two Canadian citizens.”
On the eve of Meng’s trial, Vina Nadjibulla, wife of Meng, expressed hope that the strong rhetoric from the Canadian and U.S. leaders will translate into action and bring her husband Home as soon as possible.
Meng’s extradition hearing is expected to last until May.
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