The United States alleged that Meng misled HSBC bank about the true nature of Huawei’s relationship with a company called Skycom, putting the bank at risk of violating US sanctions on Iran.

The release of Meng, 49, comes in exchange for the executive’s public acknowledgment of the charges.

“By accepting the judicial stay agreement, Ms. Meng is assuming her responsibility in a scheme to defraud a global financial institution,” said prosecutor Nicole Boeckmann, referring to HSBC.

“Over the past three years, my life has radically changedMeng told reporters after his release was announced.

“Every cloud has a ray of light,” he continued. “I will never forget all the well wishes I received from people all over the world.”

The case of the senior manager tight relationships between the world’s two largest economies and Canada.

Shortly after news of Meng’s release and departure from Canada became known, Justin Trudeau’s government announced that two Canadians arrested in China had also been released and were on their way to their home countries.

Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor had been jailed in the Asian country since 2018 and the trial against them was seen as retaliation by Beijing for what happened with Meng. The Chinese government has always denied it.

Meng is the eldest daughter of billionaire Ren Zhengfei, who founded Huawei in 1987 and made it one of the biggest technology companies in the world.

Huawei has faced accusations that Chinese authorities may be using its equipment for espionage, which Beijing denies.

In 2019, the United States imposed sanctions on Huawei and placed it on an export blacklist, excluding it from key technologies.

The United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and Japan have also banned the use of Huawei’s technology, while other countries, including France and India, have taken measures that do not constitute a complete ban.

Days after Meng’s arrest in 2018, China detained Canadian citizens Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig on suspicion of spying.

In Canada, they then accused China of treating them like political bargaining chip, using them in so-called “hostage diplomacy”, which Beijing has also denied.

Last month, a Chinese court sentenced Michael Spavor to 11 years in prison.

Canada rejected the ruling, saying the businessman’s trial failed to meet even the minimum standards required by international law.

In a press conference this Friday, the Prime Minister of Canada declared that both had gone through a “an incredibly difficult ordeal”.

“It’s good news for everyone that they are back home with their families,” he added. “Over the past 1,000 days, they have shown strength, perseverance, resilience and gentleness.”

Kovrig is a former diplomat employed by the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank.

Spavor is a founding member of an organization that facilitates international trade and cultural ties with North Korea.

Like many senior Huawei executives, until his arrest meng wanzhou maintained a low public profile.

However, more intimate details of his life came to light in court following his case.

Meng went from answering the phone to managing the finances of the world’s second-largest cellphone maker in less than two decades.

She started her career as a receptionist in 1993, and after earning a master’s degree in accounting from Huanzhong University of Science and Technology in 1999, she joined Huawei, where rose through the ranks of China’s largest private enterprise.

Once in the finance department, she was named the company’s chief financial officer in 2011 and promoted to vice president a few months before her arrest.

The promotion led to speculation that Meng Wanzhou was groomed to lead the company.

In 2018, Forbes magazine ranked her as the 12th most powerful female executive in China.

Until shortly before his arrest, his ties to his father and Huawei founder Ren Zhangfei were unknown.

At 16, in a very unusual gesture in Chinese tradition, Meng Wanzhou he adopted his mother’s surnameMeng Jun, who was Ren’s first wife.

Chinese executives working overseas often adopt a Western name for their overseas activities, which is why Meng Wanzhou is also known as Sabrina Meng and Cathy Meng.

Meng, who has four children and has been married twice, testified in court that he was a resident of Canada until 2009, when he returned to China.

Two of her children attended school in Vancouver between 2009 and 2012, while her husband was studying for a masters degree in this city.

After the children graduated, Meng spent “many weeks, sometimes months” in Vancouver during the summer, according to the affidavits.

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