Senior government officials said Thursday that Hong Kong should take full responsibility for the ongoing deadlock in the case of murder suspect Chen Tong-kai.
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 government has said it is willing to send prosecutors Hong Kong to escort Chan to Taiwan. However, Hong Kong has not granted permission, bringing the situation to a standstill.
Cabinet Spokesperson Kolas Yotaka and Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung say it would be irresponsible for the Hong Kong government to let the suspect roam free.
Mainland Affairs Council Minster Chen Ming-tong also says that Taiwan will guarantee that any handover process will be fully supervised, and that the suspect will be safe.