Friday, May 17, 2024
ADVT 
National

Judge concerned over time it's taking to hear Meng Wanzhou's extradition case

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Jun, 2020 09:53 PM
  • Judge concerned over time it's taking to hear Meng Wanzhou's extradition case

The B.C. Supreme Court judge in Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou's extradition case says she's concerned by the length of the proceedings.

During a case management conference on Monday, Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes said two proposed schedules from both Crown prosecutors and Meng's counsel would see the case wrap up next spring.

Defence lawyer Richard Peck said they've put together a "blistering work schedule," but Holmes said the court could move faster.

The United States is seeking to extradite Meng, Huawei's chief financial officer, on fraud charges based on allegations she lied to HSBC about the company's relationship with a subsidiary in Iran, putting the bank at risk of violating American sanctions against that country.

Holmes ruled last month that Meng's alleged offences would constitute a crime in Canada and the case should proceed to the next round of legal arguments, including whether Meng's arrest at the Vancouver airport in 2018 was unlawful.

Meng and Huawei deny the fraud charges.

Her lawyers allege that Meng's charter rights were violated when she was detained by border officials who took her electronic devices and passwords, which were shared with the RCMP before Meng was notified that she was under arrest.

That's one of three separate arguments on abuse of process that Meng's counsel is making.

The case was adjourned Monday until June 23 to give the Crown and defence time to discuss the scheduling of those arguments.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May
British Columbia has recorded the highest number of illicit drug overdose deaths in a single month, reaching the grim milestone in May. The coroners service says 170 people died in May, compared with 76 deaths in February as concentrations of the deadly opioid fentanyl have increased.

B.C. records highest overdose death toll for one month in May

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians
Federal politicians are being urged to work together to help Canadians with disabilities weather the COVID-19 crisis.

Politicians urged to collaborate on pandemic benefit for disabled Canadians

Federal prison chaplains escalate fight for collective agreement

Federal prison chaplains escalate fight for collective agreement
Federal prison chaplains are stepping up a bid to negotiate their first collective agreement to secure better wages and working conditions.

Federal prison chaplains escalate fight for collective agreement

Military spending needed more now than ever, top defence official says

Military spending needed more now than ever, top defence official says
The Defence Department's top civilian official is touting the importance of continued investments in the Canadian Armed Forces, and says she has received no indications the Liberal government is planning to cut spending because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Military spending needed more now than ever, top defence official says

Ottawa commits $133M in further aid for Indigenous businesses

Ottawa commits $133M in further aid for Indigenous businesses
Ottawa will spend a further $133 million on helping Indigenous businesses suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ottawa commits $133M in further aid for Indigenous businesses

COVID-19 cases will go up as Alberta reopens many activities: health experts

COVID-19 cases will go up as Alberta reopens many activities: health experts
Health experts say it makes sense for Alberta to take the next step in reopening its economy, but warn there will be an uptick in COVID-19 cases due to an inability to physically distance in some situations.

COVID-19 cases will go up as Alberta reopens many activities: health experts