And the BC Judge has rejected attempt by Meng’s counsel to expand the evidential scope. She held that the evidence they wanted to admit was more a matter for trial than for extradition. It’s not her job as extradition judge to assess credibility of potential witnesses, since that is the trial function.
This whole situation sucks, as China is holding two Canadian citizens, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, in retaliation, and has been for over two years now. I worked with Kovrig back in Budapest. Stand up guy who doesn’t deserve his detention (not does Spavor). Every month or so I check in to see if there’s been any movement on his case. The two Michael’s are still stuck there in not the greatest of conditions. Sucks.
Unfortunately, the plight of the Michaels is moving into the trial phase in the next few days, after two years of detention:
So what’s worse? Giving in, so that despots know that “legal kidnapping” is an effective means to pressure western governments? Or not giving in and having your citizens railroaded by vengeful governments? Just because the situation is questionable (but technically legal) for Meng in this situation, what stops any government in future from facing a similar choice?
It’s the whole “do we pay ransom?” or “do we negotiate with terrorists?” argument all over again.
It just sucks they had to be pulled into this shit. I mean I don’t really expect any other response. It just sucks all around.
It keeps going, and going…