Canada Contemplates Deportation of Alleged Smuggler to PRC

During the third week of November, 2000, the Canadian police arrested Lai Changxing outside a casino hotel in Niagara Falls and thereafter his wife, and has initiated deportation proceedings against them in connection with criminal charges by the People’s Republic of China, which has demanded his return to face criminal charges that he smuggled more than US$6 billion in cars, cigarettes and oil into China. Mr. Lai is now detained in Vancouver until immigration officials decide whether he can remain. Because Mr. Lai would face execution if he is retained to the P.R.C. and has alleged specific claims of international human rights abuses and even alleged threats during his detention by visiting P.R.C. officials, the case presents a dilemma for Canada…[more]