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| Lai Changxing. Chinese fugitive Changxing's
deportation to China was postponed, after Canada's Federal Court
scheduled a hearing on May 31 in his last-ditch effort to remain in
Canada. |
The chief Canadian justice sitting on the accused smuggling
kingpin Lai Changxing case is
expected to give a ruling June today in Ottawa, on Thursday local
time.
A Canadian court said Wednesday that it had got renewed promise from
Beijing not to execute its
Number one fugitive Lai, if he is deported from Canada.
It is reported that Canada has sought pledge from Chinese government
after comments from a foreign ministry official in Beijing last week
indicated it might back away from a diplomatic promise to give the most
wanted man leniency.
"The government did get a new assurance from the Chinese side,"
Canadian lawyer Esta Resnick told a court hearing in Ottawa where Lai is asking for a
delay in his pending deportation back to China, according to a Reuter
report.
Canada does not have capital
punishment and has refused to extradite people to countries where they
face execution if convicted. It received Beijing's pledge in a diplomatic
note in 2001 the documents in Lai's immigration case revealed.
Lai had been scheduled to be removed from Canada last week, but that
was put on hold for this hearing. Lai's attorney wants a delay so Lai can
argue that Canadian officials have been biased in handling the case.
Justice Carolyn Layden-Stevenson said she expects to rule on Thursday
local time (Friday Beijing Time). If she refuses to delay the deportation,
Lai is slated for removal on
Friday.
Lai is accused of
masterminding a multibillion-dollar operation that bribed
Chinese officials and police to avoid taxes and duties on goods ranging
from fuel to cigarettes smuggled into China in the 1990s.
Lai, who came to Canada in 1999, has sought
asylum in Canada on the grounds he would be put to death
if convicted in China.
(China Daily) | 
