Talks on Hong Kong-Macau deal over fugitive transfers at 'mature' stage: Rimsky Yuen
Transfer agreement in works with Macau may be applied retroactively, says justice minister
Hong Kong and Macau authorities are considering whether proposed laws that would require each city to surrender fugitives wanted by the other should apply retroactively, Hong Kong's justice minister said yesterday.
Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung - speaking after meeting Macau's secretary for administration and justice, Florinda da Rosa Silva Chan, in the former Portuguese enclave - said the negotiations were at a "mature stage".
His remark prompted questions about whether the Hong Kong law would require the surrender of convicted tycoons Joseph Lau Luen-hung and Steven Lo Kit-sing to Macau authorities.
The pair have remained in Hong Kong after being convicted in absentia on corruption charges and sentenced to more than five years in jail each.
Without naming individuals, Yuen said: "In terms of the retroactive period, it forms a part of the arrangement. There will be an express provision on when the law takes effect and how past cases should be handled."