Fear over amendment to HK fugitive law unwarranted

A Hong Kong resident was sentenced to prison for money laundering by the Hong Kong High Court on Monday, but he could be released as early as October, according to police, because he has been held since February last year.

Yet the case is important for something other than money laundering. The man is wanted in Taiwan for allegedly murdering his girlfriend and disposing of her body there before fleeing back to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region more than a year ago.

He has not been handed over to Taiwan authorities, as there is no extradition agreement between the two territories. And that is precisely why the SAR government has introduced a bill to amend two existing ordinances so justice can be delivered in the case.