Hong Kong murder suspect at centre of extradition bill crisis begs for public forgiveness upon release from jail
- Chan Tong-kai, who says he will surrender to Taiwanese authorities, apologises on his release from Hong Kong prison, but is expected to stay in city on Wednesday
- Chan, 20, is suspected of murdering his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan, in a case that has also set off political row with the self-ruled island
A Hong Kong murder suspect whose politically loaded case ignited the city’s extradition bill crisis begged for public forgiveness as he was released from prison on Wednesday amid an escalating row with Taiwan.
After spending 19 months in custody on money-laundering charges, Chan Tong-kai, wanted for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend in Taiwan, walked out of Pik Uk Correctional Institution in Clear Water Bay at 9am.
Reverend Canon Peter Koon Ho-ming, a top Anglican priest who had been visiting Chan weekly in jail and played a key role in persuading him to surrender to Taiwan authorities, told the Post it was unlikely the 20-year-old student would leave Hong Kong on Thursday.
Facing the media cameras outside the maximum-security prison, Chan bowed before apologising to the victim’s family and to the people of Hong Kong.
“I am willing, for my impulsive act and things I did wrong, to surrender myself to Taiwan to face sentencing,” he said.
“I hope this can give [deceased girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing’s] family some relief, and she can rest in peace.”
