HSBC documents revealed in Huawei extradition battle
IMAGE COPYRIGHTAFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
Internal documents from HSBC bank have been released as part of a lengthy extradition battle over the Chief Financial Officer for Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Lawyers for Meng Wanzhou are fighting to prevent her extradition from Canada to the US for alleged sanctions breach.
They argue the bank documents undermine the US case.
Her 2018 arrest in Vancouver sparked a major international row, corroding diplomatic relations.
The case is particularly sensitive as Huawei has become a lightning-rod for US-China tensions and competition over technology, and besides serving as CFO, Ms Meng is also the daughter of its founder, a former Chinese army engineer.
Washington has pressured allies, including the UK, not to use Huawei equipment in new 5G telecoms networks amid claims that it could pose a security risk, an allegation strongly denied by the company.
In the extradition case, the US alleges Ms Meng misled HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom and this, in turn, put the bank at risk of violating sanctions against Iran. The US case against Meng Wanzhou focuses in part on a meeting with HSBC on 22 August 2013.
News reports shortly before that meeting had raised questions about whether there had been a breach of trade sanctions on Iran by Hong Kong-based Skycom. At issue was whether Skycom, a telecoms equipment seller, was simply a business partner of Huawei's - or a front for it to conceal its activities in Iran.
One part of Ms Meng's multi-pronged attempt to avoid extradition has involved claiming HSBC was not, in fact, being kept in the dark about the true nature of the Skycom/Huawei relationship.
Her Canadian lawyers failed in the UK High Court to gain access to any relevant information kept by HSBC. However, they succeeded in Hong Kong which has led to the latest release of documents. Her lawyers are seeking to have them admitted in Canadian court for the next stage of her extradition hearings, set to take place in August. They argue the information will show that the US record of the case is unreliable.
Internal documents from HSBC bank have been released as part of a lengthy extradition battle over the Chief Financial Officer for Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Lawyers for Meng Wanzhou are fighting to prevent her extradition from Canada to the US for alleged sanctions breach.
They argue the bank documents undermine the US case.
Her 2018 arrest in Vancouver sparked a major international row, corroding diplomatic relations.
The case is particularly sensitive as Huawei has become a lightning-rod for US-China tensions and competition over technology, and besides serving as CFO, Ms Meng is also the daughter of its founder, a former Chinese army engineer.
Washington has pressured allies, including the UK, not to use Huawei equipment in new 5G telecoms networks amid claims that it could pose a security risk, an allegation strongly denied by the company.
In the extradition case, the US alleges Ms Meng misled HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom and this, in turn, put the bank at risk of violating sanctions against Iran. The US case against Meng Wanzhou focuses in part on a meeting with HSBC on 22 August 2013.
News reports shortly before that meeting had raised questions about whether there had been a breach of trade sanctions on Iran by Hong Kong-based Skycom. At issue was whether Skycom, a telecoms equipment seller, was simply a business partner of Huawei's - or a front for it to conceal its activities in Iran.
One part of Ms Meng's multi-pronged attempt to avoid extradition has involved claiming HSBC was not, in fact, being kept in the dark about the true nature of the Skycom/Huawei relationship.
Her Canadian lawyers failed in the UK High Court to gain access to any relevant information kept by HSBC. However, they succeeded in Hong Kong which has led to the latest release of documents. Her lawyers are seeking to have them admitted in Canadian court for the next stage of her extradition hearings, set to take place in August. They argue the information will show that the US record of the case is unreliable.
IMAGE COPYRIGHTGETTY IMAGES
The documents, which Ms Meng's lawyers had opposed making public, consist of hundreds of pages including emails and risk assessments by the bank relating to its work with Huawei. It shows the bank clearly valued the work but was aware of reputational and other risks linked to allegations against the company. They appear to show questions were asked about the company's activities in Iran, including in the wake of news reports about Skycom. HSBC note in one email that Skycom's director used a Huawei email address and in on one email an HSBC employee says Huawei have said they 'try to comply with all sanctions', adding "I am pretty much reassured on the issue."
Ms Meng's lawyers are claiming the documents show that Huawei's control over Skycom and its business in Iran was not kept from senior HSBC executives and the bank made risk-assessments based on knowledge of the full facts.
Lawyers seeking her extradition say the documents should not be admitted in an extradition hearing but rather relate to the substance of any resulting trial. The judge is expected to rule on the admission of the documents by the end of next week.
"As the case enters its next phase, Huawei remains confident in Meng Wanzhou's innocence. We will continue to support Ms. Meng's pursuit of justice and freedom," Huawei said.
The documents, which Ms Meng's lawyers had opposed making public, consist of hundreds of pages including emails and risk assessments by the bank relating to its work with Huawei. It shows the bank clearly valued the work but was aware of reputational and other risks linked to allegations against the company. They appear to show questions were asked about the company's activities in Iran, including in the wake of news reports about Skycom. HSBC note in one email that Skycom's director used a Huawei email address and in on one email an HSBC employee says Huawei have said they 'try to comply with all sanctions', adding "I am pretty much reassured on the issue."
Ms Meng's lawyers are claiming the documents show that Huawei's control over Skycom and its business in Iran was not kept from senior HSBC executives and the bank made risk-assessments based on knowledge of the full facts.
Lawyers seeking her extradition say the documents should not be admitted in an extradition hearing but rather relate to the substance of any resulting trial. The judge is expected to rule on the admission of the documents by the end of next week.
"As the case enters its next phase, Huawei remains confident in Meng Wanzhou's innocence. We will continue to support Ms. Meng's pursuit of justice and freedom," Huawei said.
On the very day that Bullyland celebrate party 100th birthday Malaysia gives them a Red Face, snubbing Huawei.
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
Malaysia picks Ericsson over Huawei to build 5G network
$2.6bn deal comes as country pushes to launch services this year
P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer
July 1, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR -- The Malaysian government has awarded Sweden's Ericsson an 11 billion ringgit ($2.6 billion) contract to design and build its 5G telecommunications network, snubbing Chinese competitor Huawei Technologies.
UNQUOTE
very childish and suffering from an acute case of Schadenfreude. Clients pick the best offer available on the market - there's no obligation to automatically pick Huawei though there is a just obligation to leave Huawei to compete fairly and not be ostracised foo political reasons which the US has promoted
DeleteThis blurred mfer has a very katak-ised definition of free competition!
DeleteAnything to do with China/CPC/Chinese would be its targeted fart. Otherwise all its fun of c&p would lost its ohmmm!
Even last year Little Red Dot oredy reject Huawei, went for Ericcson.
ReplyDeleteQUOTE
Huawei loses out as Singapore telecom operators choose 5G providers
Singapore’s biggest telecom operators Singtel and StarHub have chosen Ericsson and Nokia as their main 5G network provider
Bloomberg and Dewey Sim in Singapore
25 Jun, 2020
The city state gave final approval for the roll-out of nationwide 5G coverage on Wednesday, leaving China’s Huawei Technologies with less significant contracts.
Singapore Telecommunications chose Ericsson while a group that includes StarHub opted for Nokia after the city state gave final approval for the roll-out of nationwide 5G coverage on Wednesday, leaving China’s Huawei Technologies with less significant contracts in the city state.
Huawei, which has been a point of contention in the tensions between the US and China, still has a foothold in the market as a provider for TPG Telecom’s smaller, local network system.
UNQUOTE
Just like any other extradition case in the world, the purpose is to establish whether there are reasonable and sufficient basic facts available for the accused to be required to Stand Trial in the country requesting the extradition.
ReplyDeleteTo Stand Trial, NOT to establish guilt or innocence.
Meng's lawyers may be demanding an extradition standard of evidence that is not required , has never been required for any other extradition case.
The Canadian extradition case judge needs to tread carefully, otherwise future extradition proceedings between Canada and USA could be seriously poisoned.
Remember, two sides can play the same game.
Another display of diarrhea outpouring based on know-nothingness!
Delete1) before even considering the trial, is the case a criminal offence in the Canada?
2) Meng's case is purely an US fishing trip that is based on flimsy ground of a sole US law, unenforceable in Canada.
3) yet Canada immigration (mind u not the police) was going all out to detain Meng even when her case was not fully disclosed & established in US!
4) so where is the purpose to establish whether there are reasonable and sufficient basic facts available for the accused to be required to Stand Trial in the country requesting the extradition?
So much big words, totally flowery, yet causing a pie in yr f*cking face.
Do remember, indeed both sides can play the same game!
So what r the Canada govt complaints about the two arrested Canadians in China?
Abuse of human right on dress-upped charges by an authoritarian regime?
Mfer, who is yr authoritarian regime?
BTW, with a combined 30% control over patent rights in 5G technologies by the Chinese companies all 5G manufacturers have to pay royalty.
ReplyDeleteWin or no win the contract, these Chinese 5G telecommunication companies still make money!
Eat yr heart out, mfer.