Taiwan Murder Suspect To Return To Island This Month

A murder suspect wanted in Taiwan – and whose case sparked the government’s ill-fated attempts to introduce an extradition law last year – said on Friday he hasn't changed his mind about surrendering to authorities on the island, while a pastor assisting him said he expects him to return there within the month.

In a short voice recording released to the media, Chan Tong-kai apologised to the parents to Poon Hiu-wing, who he confessed to murdering in 2018 while he was under police caution.

In the recording, he asked Poon’s parents to rest assured that he would ask his lawyer to make arrangements so he could turn himself in to Taiwanese authorities.

Reverend Peter Koon, who’s been assisting Chan, added the lawyer has been instructed to contact authorities on Monday, after the public holiday. He said he expects Chan to return to Taiwan this month.

The reverend added that Chan is thankful to Poon’s mother, who said she may consider mitigating for him if he is brave enough to be responsible for what he has done.

Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council said they are ready to handle Chan's case if he decides to head to the island.

It said Chan could get in touch any time with the Criminal Investigation Bureau, which has assigned a contact person for the case. It added the case depends on Chan's willingness to turn himself in and the SAR government's sense of responsibility.

Chan’s case set in motion Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s attempt to introduce an extradition law in 2019, which sparked months of anti-government protests.

Chan fled to Hong Kong after killing Poon in Taipei in February 2018, but he couldn’t be sent back to the island to face charges because of the lack of an extradition agreement.

He was jailed in Hong Kong – but for money laundering, after taking Poon's money and valuables.

Prior to his release last year, the government sought to push through an extradition law that would have allowed authorities to send suspects to jurisdictions with which it has no formal extradition agreement.

However, the Chief Executive was forced to withdraw the legislation after months of escalating protests, as the law would also have allowed extradition to the mainland on a case by case basis.