Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says that Hong Kong should take full responsibility if Hong Kong murder suspect Chan Tong-kai escapes while en route to Taiwan.
Chan murdered his girlfriend last year while the two were vacationing in Taiwan. He then fled the country. He has been tried in Hong Kong for stealing his girlfriend’s money, and was in prison until Wednesday. Prior to his release, he agreed to surrender and stand trial in Taiwan.
The case has been complicated by a lack of an extradition agreement between Taiwan and Hong Kong. Taiwan had planned to send prosecutors to Hong Kong and have them escort Chan back to Taiwan. However, the Hong Kong government refused to hand Chan over, insisting on its jurisdiction.
It remains unclear if or when Chan will return to Taiwan to face trial. However, the Mainland Affairs Council says that by allowing a murder suspect to freely board a plane bound for Taiwan, the Hong Kong government would be showing a lack of respect for the safety of other passengers on the flight.