No Framework To Surrender Evidence To Taiwan: Police

The Hong Kong police said it is not possible for them to fulfill the demand from the mother of murder victim Poon Hiu-wing to transfer her daughter's belongings to Taiwanese authorities, as handing over such evidence is not part of their cooperation mechanism.

The woman, who has been campaigning for the suspect Chan Tong-kai to surrender to Taiwan, called off a meeting with the police on Sunday morning, saying officers had ignored her list of demands.

Ina quick response issued just hours later, the police confirmed it had contacted the family regarding the return of exhibits used to convict Chan for money laundering, according to Hong Kong laws and the courts' instructions.

But it stressed that there is no legal framework for the surrender of this evidence to Taiwan, which has to be conducted under mutual legal assistance procedures.

The force noted that Hong Kong does not have such arrangements with Taiwan, and again passed the buck back to the Taiwan authorities, saying they had to decide on his entry to the island.

"If the approval is given in principle, Hong Kong and Taiwan can examine and arrange Chan Tong-kai's trip through the police cooperation mechanism at once," the force said.

The force said such mechanism has always been used by the police units of both sides to handle cases.

Refusing to comment on the details of the meeting arrangements with the family, the police said it will continue to communicate directly with them and provide feasible assistance.