St Kitts-Nevis PM: Chinese fugitive held by federation’s police

Prime Minister Timothy Harris has confirmed that Chinese national Ren Biao – whose St Kitts and Nevis citizenship has been at the centre of of a long-running political battle – is in policy custody in Nevis.

The comments came during Harris’ weekly press conference.

WIC News received unconfirmed reports throughout Wednesday that Biao was held, with conflicting reports stating he was on Nevis and another that he was taken into Basseterre police station.

But yesterday Harris was questioned by reporters about the rumours and said that the “personalities of interest” had been with the police.

Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley, who was also at the press conference, did not wish to comment on this case.

Harris said: “I perhaps would defer to the Commissioner of Police, but to say that I had reported that this was an active investigation and on matters of active investigation, it’s not prudent policy to comment on it.

“I could however say that I am advised that the personalities of interest they have been with the police and I wouldn’t want to say more.”

Bio has been interviewed by officers and was seeking legal representations, WIC News understands.

No comment has been made by the opposition as of yet.

Blurry facts

The case of a St Kitts and Nevis resident wanted by Chinese authorities on allegations of fraud – later named as Ren Biao – first came to light a month ago, and since then has been a topic of debate between the government and opposition.

Denzil Douglas, leader of the opposition and prime minister when Biao was granted citizenship in 2013, initially attacked the prime minister for failing to take action – going as far as calling for him to stand down.

But Timothy Harris fought back, accusing his predecessor of knowing about an Interpol alert but ignoring it.

WIC News spoke exclusively to CG Walwyn, police commissioner in the federation from 2011 to 2015, who confirmed that his force was aware of an Interpol alert but made a police decision not to inform then-Prime Minister Douglas. [caption id="attachment_1296" align="alignright" width="300"] Dr CG Walwyn, former police commissioner.[/caption]

“We looked at the guys when they arrived. We noted that they were leaving in three days and told Special Branch to contact Interpol and let them know that the pair were flying back through England and could be dealt with from there onwards within the week,” Walwyn said.

“We did not bring it to the attention of the prime minister – who was also minister of national security – because it was not an issue regarding national security. There was no need to.”

The Harris government have stood firm in recent weeks in refusing to give Biao over to Chinese officials, and have stated on numerous occasions that he is protected by the laws of St Kitts and Nevis – as any citizen is.

Biao is believed to have defrauded the Chinese state of over US$100 million.

It is unclear as to the reasons he has been taken into custody now. WIC News has made contact with the government and the police for further details.