Chinese fugitive Lai Changxing to be deported

VANCOUVER – A Chinese fugitive will be heading back to China after the federal court refused to stop his deportation.

Lai Changxing has been fighting to remain in Canada since he arrived here 12 years ago after accusations in his homeland that he masterminded a smuggling operation that siphoned millions from the Chinese government.

He was arrested by the Canada Border Services Agency this month because the federal government said China had offered assurances the man wouldn’t be killed or tortured if returned to face charges.

In a judgement released Thursday evening in Vancouver, Justice Michel Shore says China’s assurances gave him reason to dismiss the man’s application for a stay of deportation.

In court earlier in the day, Lai’s lawyer argued there’s no guarantee China will keep its promise, noting many trials and executions in the communist country aren’t made public.

A CBSA lawyer said Wednesday that if Lai’s request to block deportation was denied, he would be re-arrested and he could be removed from Canada as soon as July 25.

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