'Chan Tong-kai Feels Frustrated About Visa Delay'

The pastor helping murder suspect Chan Tong-kai appealed on Friday for the victim's mother to understand that Chan can't turn himself in to Taiwan by the deadline she set due to visa problems and he feels frustrated about it.

The mother of Poon Hiu-wing has said she won't plead for Chan to be spared the death penalty unless he flies to the island by Friday – one year after he was released from jail in Hong Kong for money laundering.

But Reverend Peter Koon said Chan is still determined to return to Taiwan, but is unable to get a visa yet.

“As you can see, the problem now is not that [Chan] Tong-kai is unwilling to return to Taiwan, there is just no way to get a visa yet, which is why he can’t set off today,” the reverend said in a message sent to media outlets.

“Tong-kai feels frustrated too, and hopes Poon’s mum will understand.”

The reverend said that the young man's lawyers have called a special channel established by the Taiwan authorities about seven times, and will also try "different means" to arrange his trip to the island.

Poon’s mother, who had offered to act as an intermediary between Hong Kong and Taiwan, said authorities in Taipei had contacted her and said they were hoping to be able to sit down with their Hong Kong counterparts to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmaker James To called for the authorities in Hong Kong and Taiwan to hold talks on the matter.

He said SAR officials should find out what assistance Taipei requires, rather than just insisting that it cannot help.