Small but key issues
As early as two years ago, Lai's ex-wife Zeng Mingna and their daughter Lai Zhenzhen voluntarily returned to China, which "was a heavy blow to Lai," according to Yang Cheng, who added that the move refuted Lai's argument that they would be tortured if he went back to China. In fact, they are doing pretty well in China, and have not faced criminal prosecution, he said.
"This was definitely in favor of the Respondents—the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness," noted Yang.
Another case on February 16 might have foreshadowed Lai's fate. On that day, Canada repatriated Zeng Hanlin, who had fled China to avoid facing trial for an alleged $8 million fraud for 11 years.
Lai and Zeng have much in common. Both were suspected for economic crimes and fled on tourist visas.
Zeng could be an important reference, said Huang Feng, a criminal law professor at Beijing Normal University. "Zeng's case is so similar to Lai's. Therefore, the judgments should not differ a lot."
Game over
Lai, born in 1958 in Fujian Province, was accused of bribery and masterminding a multibillion-dollar smuggling ring that imported goods to Xiamen, including cigarettes, in 1999.
As a result, the Chinese authorities conducted an investigation called the "4-20 Investigation" and discovered a massive smuggling operation allegedly headed by Lai, his wife, and the Yuan Hua Group founded by him.
The same year, learning that Chinese authorities were looking for them, the Lai family fled China and travelled to Canada on Hong Kong passports as visitors.
Though repeatedly denying Lai's political refuge application, Canada does not have the death penalty and is prohibited from deporting accused criminals to countries where they might face capital punishment.
Given word by the Chinese government that Lai would not be executed if extradited, Canada finally ended the 12-year-long "hide-and-seek."
The Canadian people had always supported the repatriation because lengthy lawsuits cost taxpayers a lot, commented Tao Duanfang, a migrant Chinese scholar in Canada.
However, in Canada judicial independence is an essential principle underlying the constitution, so public opinions are not able to fundamentally shake judicial decisions, added Tao.
