Canadian Foreign Minister Says 'No Political Involvement' In Arrest Of Huawei Executive

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th December, 2018) Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said the detention of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou was not politically motivated and was in compliance with US-Canada extradition agreement.

"Meng was arrested under the extradition treaty that exists between Canada and the United States. There was no political involvement," Freeland told reporters on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Meng was released on $7.5 million bail and was ordered to wear a GPS ankle tracker. Canadian authorities arrested Meng at the request of the United States on December 1.

Freeland said she has spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Meng's case and told him the Huawei executive would be treated fairly in Canadian courts.

Freeland noted that Ottawa remains in constant contact with Chinese authorities regarding her case and will keep Beijing up to date regarding further judicial process.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he was willing to intervene in the Huawei executive case, if it would help produce a trade agreement with China.

Freeland commented on Trump's remarks by saying it is incumbent on Washington to "ensure that any extradition request is about ensuring that justice is done" and "is not politicized or used for any other purpose."

Meng was detained in Vancouver on suspicion of failing to comply with US sanctions against Iran. The Chinese Foreign Ministry called on Ottawa to immediately release Meng. Huawei, in its turn, said it was unaware of any wrongdoing on the part of its chief financial officer.