Huawei executive Meng sues Canada for violation of constitutional rights News
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Huawei executive Meng sues Canada for violation of constitutional rights

Meng Wanzhou, the Chief Financial Officer of Chinese technology giant Huawei, filed a lawsuit on Friday against the Canadian government, its border agency and federal police, alleging she was “detained, searched and interrogated” for three hours in violation of her constitutional rights.

The suit alleges that members of Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Border Services Agency officers unlawfully subjected Meng to “detention, search and interrogation” to extract evidence from her upon her arrival at Vancouver’s airport and before she was arrested. The suit says she was held and questioned for three hours without being advised of her rights and Canada Border Services Agency officers unlawfully searched her electronic devices. Meng alleges that the manner in which officers obtained evidence and information from her constituted serious violations of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

On the same day, the Canadian government approved Meng’s extradition proceedings. Under the the Extradition Act for the issuance of an Authority to Proceed and the Treaty, the conduct for which extradition is sought must be “dual criminality”, meaning the conduct must be considered criminal in both the United States and in Canada. The government says this decision follows “a thorough and diligent review” of the evidence, the requirements set out by the Extradition Act have been met, and there is sufficient evidence to be put before an extradition judge for decision.

Meng, who is out on bail, is due to appear in a Vancouver court at 10 AM PST (1800 GMT) on Wednesday, when a date will be set for her extradition hearing. The Chinese side is dissatisfied about the extradition decision.