A suspected criminal surnamed Liu who is wanted for transnational telecom fraud was repatriated to Taiwan from Poland in January, marking the country’s first-ever extradition case, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The MOFA said Liu’s return is the result of collaboration by the Ministries of Justice and the Interior and the Polish government. The suspect is now under electronic monitoring while an investigation by Taiwan Taichung District Prosecutors Office takes place.
According to the MOJ, the man was arrested in Poland in 2017 under an Interpol Red Notice. The Polish courts previously ordered Liu’s extradition to China, but the European Court of Human Rights ruled against the decision in 2022 following his appeal.
In February 2023, the MOJ officially requested that the Polish government extradite Liu under a legal cooperation agreement between the two countries that came into effect in February 2021. The request was approved in November the same year.
Both the MOFA and MOJ expressed sincere gratitude to the Polish government for its assistance. The case underscores Taiwan’s commitment to combating international crime, they said, adding that the country will continue working with like-minded partners to uphold justice and promote global public security. (SFC-E)
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