Published , by Charles Singletary Jr
Published , by Charles Singletary Jr
Meng Wanzhou, CFO of Huawei and daughter of the company's founder, was arrested on December 1, 2018, for unknown reasons and China is demanding her release. China says her detention is possibly a rights abuse, but the details of the arrest have not been made public at Meng Wanzhou's request.
BBC reports that Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver, Canada and she sought a "publication ban on the details of the arrest" and it was granted. Huawei has officially said it was "not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng." A Chinese foreign ministry says the detention without giving a reason violates a person's human rights:
"We have made solemn representations to Canada and the US, demanding that both parties immediately clarify the reasons for the detention, and immediately release the detainee to protect the person's legal rights."
Canadian officials say "she is sought for extradition by the United States, and a bail hearing has been set for Friday." It makes sense for Huawei and China to be highly concerned with this arrest, considering the company is under investigation by the US Department of Justice for violating trade sanctions. At the time the original report was published, the depth of the criminal investigation was unknown.
The DOJ had not released an official statement when the investigation into Huawei was revealed and a spokesperson for the entity declined to comment on the detainment of Meng Wanzhou when BBC reached out. Before the investigation was brought to light, the FBI, CIA, NSA, and three other major US intelligence agencies warned consumers against using Huawei products and services:
"We're deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments that don't share our values to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks," FBI Director Chris Wray testified.
"That provides the capacity to exert pressure or control over our telecommunications infrastructure," Wray added. "It provides the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information. And it provides the capacity to conduct undetected espionage."
More information on the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou should come to light on Friday. Stay tuned to Shacknews for additional updates.