A judicial error has led to the release from custody of one of the ringleaders of the Chinese money-laundering ring broken up in October and others could be freed within days.
The High Court upheld an appeal by lawyers acting for Kay Yang, considered a top lieutenant of the organization’s kingpin, Gao Ping, on the basis that he had been held for more than 72 hours without being brought before a judge.
Over 100 people were arrested during the police investigation, Operation Emperor. Two days after the detentions, the investigating judge ordered 29 suspects to be handed over to the police as there were insufficient facilities to hold them at the courthouse. Among these was Yang, who did not appear before the judge until October 20, four days after his arrest.
At his court appearance, Yang was ordered to be remanded in custody but appealed as he had already been held for longer than the 72 hours permitted. On Thursday, the High Court granted his immediate release.
Other members of the ring, including Gao, his wife, and the alleged head of his gang of enforcers, Li Haibo, are expected to be freed in the coming days after making similar appeals.