Chan Tong-kai Still Without A Taiwan Visa: Pastor

Taiwan murder suspect Chan Tong-kai still doesn't have a visa enabling him to travel to the island and turn himself in, a pastor who is helping him said on Tuesday.

Reverend Peter Koon said he has done everything he can, and now all he can do is wait for news from lawyers in Taiwan who are representing Chan.

Last week, Koon went to Taipei's representative office in Hong Kong and was seen holding documents relating to Chan.

Koon wouldn't confirm at the time that he was seeking a travel visa for the murder suspect, but now says the office told him it couldn't accept the visa application "for now".

In 2018, Chan travelled to Taiwan with his girlfriend, Poon Hiu-wing. Her body was found in a suitcase in New Taipei, while he returned to Hong Kong.

Chan can't be charged in Hong Kong over the murder, but was jailed for money laundering after taking Poon's money and valuables. He was released a year ago this Friday and is said to be willing to face justice in Taiwan over the death.

SAR authorities say under the law, they can't extradite Chan to any other "part of China", with the murder cited by Chief Executive Carrie Lam as a reason for pushing her ill-fated extradition bill, a move which sparked Hong Kong's worst social unrest in decades.