Advertisement

Hong Kong murder accused considered fleeing to Australia but flight time put them off

Taiwan thought to be best option for escape as mainland China was ruled out over visa issues

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
The jury heard a taped interview with Lau (centre) for the second day running at the High Court. Photo: Edward Wong

Three Hong Kong men accused of murdering an acquaintance and fusing him in a “concrete coffin” considered fleeing to Australia but thought the long travel time would increase their chances of being arrested, the High Court heard on Thursday.

Advertisement

Instead the trio, Keith Lau, Tsang Cheung-yan, and Cheung Sin-hang, fled to Taiwan after the death of Cheung Man-li.

Lau told the police after his arrest that he and his co-defendants took flight time to Australia into account when they made their plan to escape. Believing it would take far longer than they had, the three men concluded it would be too much of a risk.

Tsang (centre) has accused Lau of being the mastermind behind Cheung Man-li’s death. Photo: Edward Wong
Tsang (centre) has accused Lau of being the mastermind behind Cheung Man-li’s death. Photo: Edward Wong

“We might get arrested as soon as we alight the aircraft,” Lau told the officers in an interview.

Advertisement

Lau said the three men also discussed mainland China as a possible destination, but Lau did not have a visa to travel to the mainland.

Advertisement