Members of the media and public line up Friday to enter a courtroom to attend a bail hearing for Meng at B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. Inside, people crowded into the courtroom. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Meng, 46, is wanted for extradition from Vancouver to the U.S. on allegations of fraud, including using a shell company to skirt international American sanctions over five years, court heard.

American officials are seeking Meng's extradition so she can be prosecuted in the States.

The bail hearing is set to resume Monday in Vancouver at 10 a.m. PT.

Accused of violating Iran sanctions

John Gibb-Carsley, a lawyer acting for Canada's attorney-general, said Meng allegedly used an unofficial company called Skycom to access the Iranian market between 2009 and 2014 — dealings that would be in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Meng is also accused of making public misrepresentations about Skycom, saying it was separate from Huawei, when the U.S. contends the companies were one and the same.

The case has rattled international stock markets, in fear Meng's arrest would derail planned trade talks — and a potential trade truce — between China and the U.S., the world's two largest economies.

Meng has at least 7 passports, U.S. alleges

The Justice Department affidavit painted a picture of a woman with immense financial resources who had already attempted to evade U.S. arrest warrants for allegedly violating American and European Union sanctions.

It said she possesses "no fewer than seven passports from both China and Hong Kong." Her father, Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, is reportedly the 83rd wealthiest person in the world with a fortune of $3.2 billion US.


Telecommunications giant Huawei has interests in many countries around the world. (CBC)

It alleged that around April 2017, Meng and other Huawei executives became aware of a U.S. criminal investigations into the company's practices and began to alter travel patterns to avoid American authorities.

"Meng has tremendous financial and logistical resources at her disposal and could easily flee Canada, should she so choose," the affidavit read.

"Meng has the resources to flee from prosecution and remain a fugitive indefinitely."

The U.S., the affidavit noted, has no extradition treaty with China.

Onlookers, media crowd bail hearing
Meng arrived at her hearing without handcuffs, wearing a dark green sweater, smiling and shaking hands with her lawyer before the judge arrived.

Media and dozens of members of the public crowded the courtroom, with another crowd outside the building.


China is demanding Canada release Huawei's chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou, who was recently arrested in Vancouver after a request from U.S. authorities. (Huawei via The Associated Press)
During the hearing, Gibb-Carsley said the Attorney General of Canada does not want Meng released from custody, echoing U.S. concerns that she has an incentive to flee and vast financial resources.

The Crown also claimed Meng does not have meaningful ties to Canada, noting she owns two homes in Vancouver but only vacations in the city for a few weeks in the summer.

Meng was arrested in Vancouver on Saturday, en route from Hong Kong to Mexico. Gibb-Carsley said her arrest warrant was issued in New York on Aug. 22.


Members of the media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court as Meng's bail hearing is held inside. Photography and videography are forbidden inside the courthouse and its courtrooms. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

Her lawyer, David Martin, said the court could rely on Meng's "personal dignity" in trusting she would never breach a court order.

He said private security and surveillance could be an option, if Meng were granted bail. Martin insisted Meng isn't a flight risk because her husband is in Vancouver.


Previously, a publication ban prevented the U.S. Department of Justice from releasing further details about the arrest and subsequent hearing. Several media outlets, including CBC News, challenged the ban. It was lifted as the first matter of business at Friday's hearing.

Huawei is one of the world's biggest suppliers of network gear for phone and internet companies. The telecom company also makes smartphones, standing as the second-leading seller for two quarters straight — behind Samsung and ahead of Apple, according to the International Data Corporation.


The Attorney General of Canada does not want Meng released from custody, citing an incentive to flee and vast financial resources. But Her lawyer, David Martin, said the court could rely on Meng's 'personal dignity' in trusting she would never breach a court order. (Jane Wolsak/Canadian Press)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Rhianna Schmunk

@rhiannaschmunk

Rhianna Schmunk is a reporter for CBC News based in Vancouver. Reach her at rhianna.schmunk@cbc.ca or @rhiannaschmunk.