China repatriates first economic fugitive from Spain

Two economic fugitives (second and fourth) are repatriated on Aug 3, 2014 from Cambodia after fleeing overseas with illicit assets. [Photo/China Daily]

BEIJING - A man suspected of economic offenses who has been at large for seven years was repatriated to China from Spain on Saturday.

The man surnamed Ding was on the list of the most wanted suspects in operation Fox Hunt 2015, a campaign to catch economic fugitives who have fled overseas.

Originally from Zhejiang Province in east China, Ding was suspected of offenses during 2007 and 2008, including misapprehension of public deposits, money laundering, contract fraud and extortion. The amount of money involved exceeded 200 million yuan ($31 million).

Ding and his family fled overseas in September 2008. China's Ministry of Public Security issued a Red Notice on Ding in cooperation with the Interpol in October 2011.

Ding was repatriated through cooperation between the judicial, law enforcement and foreign affairs authorities of China and Spain, according to the ministry.

Ding was arrested by the Spanish police in December last year. The constitutional court of Spain made a verdict to send Ding back to China in early September.

This is the first time China successfully repatriated an economic crime suspect from Spain, said the ministry.

The Ministry of Public Security launched a new round of its campaign code-named "Fox Hunt 2015" on April 1 to track down corrupt Chinese officials and economic crime suspects who are still at large overseas. The special action will last until the end of December.