Canadian authorities have arrested the chief financial officer of Chinese technology maker Huawei in Vancouver, Canada. Wanzhou Meng, who is also vice-president of the company’s advisory board, was arrested at the request of American justice. She is suspected of violating sanctions imposed by the US government on Iran.

Huawei is the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker and second-largest smartphone maker, having overtaken Apple this year. Meng is the daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei.

The news was first reported by local newspaper “The Globe and Mail” this Wednesday (5). According to the publication, the arrest took place last Saturday (1st). In a statement sent to the newspaper, the Canadian Ministry of Justice said that the United States had requested Meng’s extradition and that a bail hearing was scheduled for this Friday (7).

In a statement, Huawei confirmed Meng’s arrest and said the company had received little information about the case. “We are not aware of any illegal conduct committed by Meng. The company believes that the Canadian and American legal systems will reach a fair conclusion.”

Tensions between the brand and the United States

Tensions between the United States and Huawei are at their highest level since 2016 and have been worsened by the US-Chinese trade war. In August, President Donald Trump, citing national security concerns, signed a law banning government agencies from using products and services from Huawei and its Chinese competitor ZTE.

Read Huawei’s full position:

“Recently, our Corporate Finance Director, Ms. Meng Wanzhou, was provisionally detained by Canadian authorities on behalf of the United States of America, who are seeking the extradition of Ms. Meng Wanzhou to face unspecified charges in the Eastern District of New York, while on connecting flights in Canada.

The company has received very little information about the allegations and is not aware of any wrongdoing by Ms. Meng. The company believes that the legal systems of Canada and the United States will reach a fair conclusion.

Huawei complies with all applicable laws and regulations in the countries in which it operates, including applicable UN, US and EU export control and sanctions laws and regulations.