Chinese collect evidence for murder trial

Hiren Mohini with his wife Falguni, left, mother Vasantiben and daughters Yashvi (5) and Hetvi (3). Photo / Supplied

Chinese prosecutors have taken a large amount of evidence back to China as they prepare for the trial of a man accused of murdering a taxi driver in New Zealand.

Father-of-two Hiren Mohini, 39, died on January 31 last year after he was stabbed several times in Mt Eden after picking up a fare in the city.

His alleged murderer, Zhen Xiao, 23, fled to China but was tracked down by Chinese police and charged with murder several weeks later.

The trial in China will set a legal precedent in New Zealand. No one has ever been tried in another country for a crime committed in New Zealand, said the police officer in charge of the case, Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones.

The evidence had been translated before the Chinese prosecutors arrived and it was hoped the trial would be held within six months, he said.

The trial would be before a judge alone and not a jury and witnesses were not expected to be called from New Zealand.

Mr Jones said he would be in Shanghai for the trial and some of Mr Mohini's family might also go but that had yet to be decided.

"It is going through the process of their judicial system now and it is just a question of waiting for a confirmed date."

If Zhen Xiao was convicted, he would serve his sentence in China.

New Zealand authorities earlier got an assurance from the Chinese he would not face the death sentence if convicted.

- NZPA