Chance of rendition to Hong Kong for kidnap suspects slim, expert says

After mainland and Hong Kong authorities announced yesterday that all nine of the suspected participants in last month’s kidnap of Bossini heiress Queenie Rosita Law had been arrested, they now need to decide where to try them – and at least one legal expert says the chance of a rendition to Hong Kong is slim.

Differences in evidence standards on different sides of the border, combined with the complication of possibly transferring only some of the suspects back to Hong Kong, may lead authorities to push for the case to be tried on the mainland, said University of Hong Kong law professor Simon Young Ngai-man.

It is still administratively possible for mainland authorities to send to Hong Kong some of the eight arrested in Guangdong province who allegedly crossed the border into Hong Kong to stage the kidnap. But the fact that the accused mastermind allegedly remained in Guangdong province all along might convince law enforcement bodies on both sides of the border that his trial should take place on the mainland.

The ninth suspect, who was arrested in Hong Kong, will be tried in the city.

“My understanding from the news is that the plan to kidnap formed in Hong Kong, not the mainland,” Young said. “However there might be enough evidence to prosecute them [on the mainland] for conspiracy to commit burglary.”

But, Young said, “I think if the mainland and Hong Kong authorities feel that there is enough evidence to prosecute them for a serious offence on the mainland, they will forego the messy issues of rendition.”