Chinese national Ren Biao held in police custody in St Kitts and Nevis
PM Timothy Harris confirmed Ren Biao, wanted by China and Interpol for financial crimes, is in police custody. Biao is accused of swindling over US$100 million from a Chinese state firm.
Interpol-wanted Ren Biao detained on Nevis amid extradition dispute
Ren Biao, a Chinese national holding St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship, is currently in police custody in the federation, Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris confirmed on Wednesday. Thestkittsnevisobserver.com reports that Harris made the disclosure at his monthly press conference, though he declined to elaborate on the details of the case.
"I perhaps would defer to the commissioner of police, but I had reported that this was an active investigation, and on matters of active investigation, it's not prudent policy to comment on it," Harris said. "I could, however, say that I am advised that the personalities of interest have been with the police and I wouldn't want to say more."
Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, also present at the press conference, declined to comment on the matter.
Biao, a St. Kitts and Nevis citizen by investment who is currently resident in the federation, has been at the centre of an intensifying news cycle over recent weeks. The case came to public attention after a report by Carib Update's News Break and broadcaster Oslyn Crosby alleged that the Beijing government had received no cooperation from the St. Kitts and Nevis government regarding Biao, who is accused of swindling more than US$100 million from a Chinese state firm. Both China and Interpol have sought his apprehension.
The government maintained that, as a citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis, Biao is entitled to due process in relation to any extradition request. Harris' administration stated that individuals at the centre of the matter must be afforded due process in conformity with the laws of the land, and that there is no basis for extraditing St. Kitts and Nevis citizens in any other manner.
Harris also directed sharp criticism at the opposition, accusing it of spreading "propaganda" designed to damage the country's reputation.
"What I would say then there was considerable mischief calculated to harm the reputation of the country by members of the opposition, who went to the public and paraded the fake news that these [people] were missing in action and had fled the country," Harris said.
Reports on Wednesday indicated that Biao was taken into custody on Nevis and was seeking legal representation.
Source: Google News KN — Crime