Reverend seeking to file visa application on behalf of Taiwan murder suspect snubbed by Taipei’s local office, source says
- Pastor Peter Koon maintains he visited the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office for ‘private matters’
- But photos show him carrying a form bearing the name of Chan Tong-kai, the murder suspect whose case sparked last year’s ill-fated extradition bill
A reverend helping a Hong Kong murder suspect wanted in Taiwan went to Taipei’s representative office in the city on Wednesday to apply for a visa on his behalf, but the application was not accepted, a source has told the Post.
The Anglican pastor, Peter Koon Ho-ming, acknowledged visiting the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office but maintained it was for “private matters”. Images published in local media, however, showed him carrying an application form bearing the suspect’s name, Chan Tong-kai.
The Post has learned the office did not take the application because Taiwanese authorities are insisting the Hong Kong government get in touch with them before Chan, wanted in Taiwan for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend in 2018, can apply for a visa directly from their office.
Koon’s failure to submit the application is just the latest development in the high-profile case after a year of deadlock in securing Chan’s surrender.
The 22-year-old is wanted by Taiwanese authorities for killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Poon Hiu-wing, during a holiday trip to the self-ruled island in February two years ago.