By Patrick Gower
3 News has learned New Zealand authorities were working with Chinese counterparts to have a controversial Chinese millionaire extradited.
Yong Ming Yan, also known as Bill Liu, is the mystery Chinese man Shane Jones granted New Zealand citizenship against official advice.
And new documents show how why officials wanted rid of Mr Yan.
In China he faced allegations that he "misappropriated funds in excess of $61 million New Zealand dollars", and "Chinese authorities wanted him returned to face charges and had requested his extradition.”
Discussion between officials in both countries was happening just three weeks before Mr Jones' decision, and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security referred to "the importance of the Yan case."
But Mr Jones had a different view. He granted Mr Yan citizenship on humanitarian grounds, believing he would be executed if returned to China.
The documents also detail a raid on Mr Yan's apartment in the Metropolis tower. They show there was plenty of interest in taking part – not just from immigration – but also the Police’s Asian Crime Squad, Internal Affairs, Customs, the Serious Fraud Office, Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Fisheries.
Authorities were also informed by Internal Affairs that Mr Yan “is spending literally millions of dollars at the casino and associating with known criminals."
So officials here and in China were working on having Mr Yan extradited. Then, at complete cross-purposes, Mr Jones' decision meant Mr Yan got citizenship here in a special ceremony at Parliament. That decision is now under investigation by the Auditor-General - and Mr Jones declined to comment today.
3 News
source: newshub archive
