Detained Huawei exec reaches deal with U.S. justice officials

Canada’s diplomatic dispute with China over Meng Wanzhou may be nearing its conclusion.

The Huawei chief financial officer has been under house arrest in Vancouver since December of 2018 while awaiting possible extradition to the United States.

U.S. Department of Justice officials have been waiting for Meng’s extradition so she could face fraud charges in connection with allegations Huawei conspired to avoid U.S. sanctions on Iran.

According to a report Friday by The Associated Press, Meng reached a deal with the justice department that will allow her to resolve those charges and ultimately could allow her to return to China.

The Associated Press said the agreement calls for the Justice Department to dismiss the case next December, or four years after her arrest, if she complies with certain conditions.

The deal, which was announced in a Brooklyn courtroom, is known as a deferred prosecution.

Later Friday, a B.C. Supreme Court justice agreed to a discharge order that withdrew a U.S. extradition request against Meng.

“Over the past three years my life has been turned upside down,” she said in a statement during her court appearance.

“It was a disruptive time for me as a mother, a wife and a company executive. But I believe every cloud has silver lining. It really was an invaluable experience in my life.”

Meng’s case has been at the centre of a row between Canada and China for more than two years.

After she was detained by Canadian officials at the request of the U.S., China arrested two Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig – and charged them with espionage in apparent retribution. The men have been in custody ever since.

China also slapped bans on Canadian products, including canola, beef and pork.

— With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press