Chinese fugitive remains in jail
Source: Agencies |
July 15, 2011, Friday
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Print Edition
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A CANADIAN judge has temporarily suspended an immigration board's decision to release one of China's most wanted fugitives from jail.
Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator Leeann King ordered Lai Changxing released from custody earlier this week until a review of his deportation order to China at a hearing next week. The Federal Court ruling puts that on hold.
Lai has spent 12 years fighting his return to China, where he's accused of heading a network that smuggled billions of dollars worth of goods into China with the protection of corrupt officials.
King ordered his release from custody, concluding Lai is not a flight risk. She said Lai faced a similar expulsion in 2006 but didn't flee then, and instead complied with most of his conditions.
But Lai's lawyer, Darryl Larson, said yesterday that a judge temporarily suspended Lai's release order until he can review the immigration board ruling.
Lai will now remain in custody while government lawyers prepare a formal argument that he should stay in jail or until his next scheduled detention review hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board next week.
The Canada Border Services Agency arrested Lai last week as the possibility of his deportation drew closer, fearing he would flee.
Lai will appear in Canada's Federal Court later this month seeking a stay of his deportation as he argues he could be "tortured or killed" if returned to his home country.
After his arrest in 1999, Lai was initially under house arrest, then under a curfew and eventually he even obtained a work permit as his case dragged on.
Before fleeing to Canada in 1999, Lai lived a life of luxury in China complete with a mansion and a bulletproof Mercedes Benz.
Lai and his ex-wife had long maintained that they would face capital punishment if returned to China.
China has given assurances that Lai will not face execution if he returns.
The couple, who are now divorced, and their three children applied for asylum after arriving in Canada. Their asylum claim was rejected in 2002.
Lai's ex-wife, Tsang Mingna, and one of their daughters returned to China in 2009.
China has said repeatedly that the Lai case was the country's biggest scandal.
Exhibitions and television shows have detailed his alleged crimes and excesses. Authorities say he plied officials with prostitutes and booze in a specially built seven-story mansion.
Lai's deportation review is scheduled for July 21. He could be returned to China as soon as July 25 if his appeal fails.
Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator Leeann King ordered Lai Changxing released from custody earlier this week until a review of his deportation order to China at a hearing next week. The Federal Court ruling puts that on hold.
Lai has spent 12 years fighting his return to China, where he's accused of heading a network that smuggled billions of dollars worth of goods into China with the protection of corrupt officials.
King ordered his release from custody, concluding Lai is not a flight risk. She said Lai faced a similar expulsion in 2006 but didn't flee then, and instead complied with most of his conditions.
But Lai's lawyer, Darryl Larson, said yesterday that a judge temporarily suspended Lai's release order until he can review the immigration board ruling.
Lai will now remain in custody while government lawyers prepare a formal argument that he should stay in jail or until his next scheduled detention review hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board next week.
The Canada Border Services Agency arrested Lai last week as the possibility of his deportation drew closer, fearing he would flee.
Lai will appear in Canada's Federal Court later this month seeking a stay of his deportation as he argues he could be "tortured or killed" if returned to his home country.
After his arrest in 1999, Lai was initially under house arrest, then under a curfew and eventually he even obtained a work permit as his case dragged on.
Before fleeing to Canada in 1999, Lai lived a life of luxury in China complete with a mansion and a bulletproof Mercedes Benz.
Lai and his ex-wife had long maintained that they would face capital punishment if returned to China.
China has given assurances that Lai will not face execution if he returns.
The couple, who are now divorced, and their three children applied for asylum after arriving in Canada. Their asylum claim was rejected in 2002.
Lai's ex-wife, Tsang Mingna, and one of their daughters returned to China in 2009.
China has said repeatedly that the Lai case was the country's biggest scandal.
Exhibitions and television shows have detailed his alleged crimes and excesses. Authorities say he plied officials with prostitutes and booze in a specially built seven-story mansion.
Lai's deportation review is scheduled for July 21. He could be returned to China as soon as July 25 if his appeal fails.
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