China trial sends message to global crims, say police

File photo / NZ Herald

Police in Auckland have a message for people who flee New Zealand after committing a serious crime: the world is a small place and we will track you down.

It comes as police prepare for the murder trial in China of a man who allegedly stabbed a taxi driver to death in Auckland.

Hiren Mohini, 39, died from multiple stab wounds a year ago on Monday after he picked up passenger Zhen Xiao in the city.

A few days after the killing Zhen was in China but six months later he was tracked down by Chinese police, arrested and charged with murder.

In an unprecedented legal move he will be tried in China for the crime he allegedly committed in New Zealand.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones, who led the murder inquiry in Auckland, said the message was clear to people who thought they could escape justice by fleeing New Zealand.

"If you are going to commit a crime of this nature then we will pursue you and will do our very best to make sure we get justice for the family."

He said some criminals must now be feeling a lot more uncomfortable knowing they could not hide in their own countries for a crime committed in New Zealand.

"I would very much hope that is the message they have got," Mr Jones said.

Chinese authorities would come to New Zealand, probably in the next few weeks, to take statements from witnesses for the trial and no witnesses were likely to go to China.

However, Mr Jones said they would look at getting Mr Mohini's family to China for the trial.

"We will try our best to accommodate that as well."

New Zealand authorities had an undertaking from China that if convicted Zhen would not get the death penalty.

If he was convicted he would get life, probably with a 10-year tariff, similar to New Zealand.

The trial would be before a panel of judges and not a jury and although New Zealand witnesses would give evidence, it would be taken under oath in New Zealand and they would not go to China, Mr Jones said.

"Their sworn depositions are all that will be required."

Video links for evidence would be investigated when the Chinese team arrived in Zealand

"But having said that, there is no need for a video link if we are not giving evidence from this side."

- NZPA