Hong Kong-Taiwan loophole means teen accused of killing girlfriend in Taipei may never face charges
Chan Tong-kai is accused of strangling Poon Hiu-wing, whose decomposed body was found near an MRT station. So far, back in Hong Kong, he has only been charged with theft
Despite previous collaboration between officials in both places – in intelligence-sharing and arresting suspects – problems arise once a case arrives at a Hong Kong court, he said.
The couple went to Taiwan on February 8, but Chan returned to Hong Kong without her on February 17. Officers said the suspect was seen carrying a huge pink suitcase after checking out of a Taipei hotel earlier that day, and that they suspected Poon’s body was inside it.
Prosecutors in Taiwan said the initial autopsy showed the woman, a former student at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, was strangled. But the lack of an extradition agreement between the two places means they may never bring charges against Chan, one judge said.
Without any special arrangements, I can foresee that the suspect could be able to get away from the harsh penalty because of the loophole created by the different judicial systems
“Without any special arrangements, I can foresee that the suspect could be able to get away from the harsh penalty because of the loophole created by the different judicial systems as well as Hong Kong’s refusal to recognise Taiwan’s jurisdiction,” a serving local judge, who declined to be identified, said.