B.C. SUPREME COURT RULING MEANS MENG WANZHOU EXTRADITION BID WILL CONTINUE
May 27, 2020
By Bob Komsic
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In a major blow to Chinese tech exec Meng Wanzhou’s bid to end extradition proceedings, a B.C. Supreme Court justice’s ruling means other arguments in the matter will continue.
In a decision on so-called ”double criminality,” Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes says the charges Meng’s accused of by the U.S. would be considered a crime if it happened in Canada.
She’s charged with fraud for allegedly deceiving banks into a possible violation of American economic sanctions against Iran.
In her ruling, Holmes said the essence of the alleged crime is fraud.
And the fact this country does not have the same sanctions against Iran would not stop someone being prosecuted here for the same offence.
”Canada’s law of fraud looks beyond international boundaries,” the justice wrote in her decision.
The ruling does not necessarily men Meng will be sent to the U.S.
The judge must still hold hearings to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to warrant extradition.