Huawei CFO’s admissions can be used at criminal trial, US judge rules

A US judge ruled on March 18, 2024, that admissions made by Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in 2021 can be used as evidence in her criminal trial. Wanzhou, who is accused of defrauding a bank by misleading it about Huawei's business dealings in Iran, stated in a sworn affidavit that Huawei "illegally conducted business in Iran." This admission was made as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice, which allowed her to return to China in 2021 after nearly three years of house arrest in Canada. The judge's decision allows prosecutors to present Wanzhou's own words as evidence of her knowledge and intent regarding the alleged fraudulent activities. The case centers on allegations that Huawei violated US sanctions against Iran through its subsidiary Skycom Tech. Wanzhou's defense had sought to exclude these statements, arguing they were made under duress and as part of a plea negotiation. However, the judge found that the statements were voluntary and relevant to the charges.