Larnaca police arrest fugitive wanted by Chinese authorities

Police have arrested a 49-year-old man wanted by Chinese authorities for fraud.

The 49-year-old is allegedly related to a case of fraud and embezzlement through loans, amounting to 5.6 billion Chinese yuan (CNY), equivalent to more than €760,000,000.

The 49-year-old has been wanted since July 2020. Shortly before 9:30pm on Sunday night he presented himself at Larnaca airport, intending to depart.

After police check it was determined that an arrest warrant was pending against him and he was taken into custody on a temporary warrant issued by the Republic, for the purpose of starting the judicial process of his extradition to China.

Later in the day, the Larnaca district court decided that the man would be brought before them on Tuesday to decide if he will be remanded into custody until December 12, the day of his planned extradition.

During the hearing, the defence requested until Tuesday to examine the testimony against him, and decide whether there is any objection to the Cypriot authorities holding him until his extradition.