BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has responded to a Carib Update’s News Break report in which broadcaster Oslyn Crosby said Chinese diplomatic officials claimed that the Federal Government is harbouring one of their nationals who is on Interpol’s Wanted List.
Crosby also reported that Beijing said they have had no cooperation from the Government of Prime Minister Timothy Harris on the issue.
“China is claiming that the man bought a Kittitian passport under that country’s controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme. He has been accused of swindling over US$100M from a Chinese-state firm,” she reported.
Cosby continued: “Our News Editor made a call to Prime Minister Harris for his reaction to the claim, but it has gone unanswered. A note has since been sent to his Press Secretary requesting an official reaction.”
The broadcaster noted that the Chinese national was first reported as being wanted in China for fraud and forgery in a report on local station WINN FM in July last year.
Crosby further reported: “He is currently a resident in St Kitts with a wife and school-aged son, and was recently reportedly spotted by our reporters playing golf at an exclusive resort.”
She added that in early April, under-cover Chinese police officials had interviewed the man’s son while he was not at home.
“Chinese diplomatic sources said that in intercepted communication on April 16, said that the man called relatives in Beijing seeking an additional 190,000 US dollars to help to continue pay for what he reportedly described as his protection by Kittitian authorities,” the broadcaster said in this morning’s (May 3) episode of Carib Update’s News Break.
In response to the report, a statement was disseminated to media houses by the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary, which confirmed that the man in question was granted citizenship by the Federal Government.
“The Chinese citizen referred to in the report by Ms. Oslyn Crosby was granted St. Kitts and Nevis citizenship some four years ago in September 2013. Accordingly, as a citizen, he is entitled by virtue of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis to due process as is any other citizen.”
The statement also expressed the Government’s concern on Cosby’s report of under-cover Chinese police.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is deeply concerned that the news story reported that undercover Chinese police officials interviewed the child of the alleged fugitive in St. Kitts in the absence of the parents.”
It clearly stated that it is important to note that the Government of the People’s Republic of China had made no formal request to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in respect to this matter.
The Government pointed out that it is aware of the legalities concerning fugitives and their extradition, but declared that there is no extradition arrangement between China and the twin-island Federation.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is cognizant that there is an established legal framework for dealing with the return of fugitives, and the extradition of any citizen of St. Kitts and Nevis therefore must be done in accordance with the law. St. Kitts and Nevis has no extradition arrangement with China.”
The statement indicated that the Government had received information on this matter and the relevant agencies are conducting investigations with a view to ascertaining whether there was any breach of the Federation’s laws.
“The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis will comply with its obligations as a responsible member of the international community,” it concluded.
