Taiwan’s visa refusal for murder suspect seeking to surrender ‘shocks everybody with common sense’, Hong Kong security chief says
- Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang says the matter involves the exercise of jurisdictions and government powers
- But Hong Kong security minister John Lee accuses Taipei of disrespecting the city’s jurisdiction by repeating requests for mutual legal assistance
Hong Kong and Taiwan authorities hit out at each other on Friday over a murder suspect wanted by the self-ruled island, as the city’s security chief said the refusal of a visa for suspect Chan Tong-kai “shocked everybody with common sense”.
The shots were traded a day after the parents of the girl, Poon Hiu-wing, who was murdered in Taiwan more than two years ago, urged authorities on the self-ruled island to simplify procedures to allow Chan to surrender as soon as possible.
The Post previously learned Chan’s visa application was refused as Taiwanese authorities had been insisting the Hong Kong government liaise with them before he could seek the travel permit directly from its office in the financial hub.
Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Friday the matter involved the exercise of jurisdictions and government powers. He also insisted governments on both sides should solve the problem through mutual legal assistance.
“We sympathised with the victim’s parents,” Su said. “I hope they can urge the Hong Kong government to bring the murderer to justice so that he will not roam free.”
We really urge the Taiwanese authorities to refrain from political considerations, but to deal with this matter practically in the name of justice
Chan, 22, is wanted over the killing of 19-year-old Poon during a holiday trip to Taipei in February two years ago. After Poon’s death, Chan fled back to Hong Kong, where he was sentenced to 29 months in jail for money-laundering crimes in connection with her bank account. During the trial, the court heard that he had told investigators he killed her.