+ A
A -
The formal extradition hearings for a Chinese Huawei executive who was arrested in Canada more than a year ago are to begin on Monday.
Meng Wanzhou was held in late 2018 in Canada on suspicion of fraud and breaching US sanctions on Iran.
The US wants Ms Meng to stand trial on charges including fraud linked to the alleged violation of sanctions on Iran.
The case is being watched for its possible repercussions for ties between China, the US and Canada.
This week's hearings will run from 20-24 January in the British Columbia supreme court in Vancouver and will focus on the next step in the extradition process, known as a motion of double criminality.
This means the court hears arguments related to whether the crime Ms Meng is accused of by the US would also be considered a crime in Canada.
The judge must be satisfied that it meets the key test of double criminality before agreeing to an extradition.
The 47-year-old executive's lawyers are expected to argue that she cannot be turned over to the US because the charges against her fail to meet that standard.
Lawyers for the Canadian department of justice will argue her offence is a crime in both countries, meaning she can be extradited.
If a judge is satisfied with the evidence presented during the extradition hearing, he or she will authorise that the individual be committed for extradition.
If not, the accused will be discharged and released from custody.
Even if the judge recommends extradition, it is the federal justice minister who makes the ultimate decision on whether to surrender the person to the US.
Meng Wanzhou was held in late 2018 in Canada on suspicion of fraud and breaching US sanctions on Iran.
The US wants Ms Meng to stand trial on charges including fraud linked to the alleged violation of sanctions on Iran.
The case is being watched for its possible repercussions for ties between China, the US and Canada.
This week's hearings will run from 20-24 January in the British Columbia supreme court in Vancouver and will focus on the next step in the extradition process, known as a motion of double criminality.
This means the court hears arguments related to whether the crime Ms Meng is accused of by the US would also be considered a crime in Canada.
The judge must be satisfied that it meets the key test of double criminality before agreeing to an extradition.
The 47-year-old executive's lawyers are expected to argue that she cannot be turned over to the US because the charges against her fail to meet that standard.
Lawyers for the Canadian department of justice will argue her offence is a crime in both countries, meaning she can be extradited.
If a judge is satisfied with the evidence presented during the extradition hearing, he or she will authorise that the individual be committed for extradition.
If not, the accused will be discharged and released from custody.
Even if the judge recommends extradition, it is the federal justice minister who makes the ultimate decision on whether to surrender the person to the US.
