The release of Meng Wanzhou, Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei's daughter, has raised many
questions in the US and West on China's "hostage diplomacy". Meanwhile, documents released
by the US Department of Justice (DoJ) reveal that Meng Wanzhou's prosecution has been deferred
for four years and the charges have not been dropped. She also agreed to the DoJ's statement of
facts. Acting U.S. Attorney Nicole Boeckmann for the Eastern District of New York. in
a statement said "Meng has taken responsibility for her principal role in perpetrating a scheme to
defraud a global financial institution.” “Her admissions in the statement of facts confirm that, while
acting as the Chief Financial Officer for Huawei, Meng made multiple material misrepresentations
to a senior executive of a financial institution regarding Huawei’s business operations in Iran in an
effort to preserve Huawei’s banking relationship with the financial institution. The truth about
Huawei’s business in Iran, which Meng concealed, would have been important to the financial
institution’s decision to continue its banking relationship with Huawei. Meng’s admissions
confirm the crux of the government’s allegations in the prosecution of this financial fraud — that
Meng and her fellow Huawei employees engaged in a concerted effort to deceive global financial
institutions, the U.S. government and the public about Huawei’s activities in Iran.” The statement
added “This Deferred Prosecution Agreement will lead to the end of the ongoing extradition
proceedings in Canada, which otherwise could have continued for many months, if not years".
|