Police in Australia have arrested a fourth man in connection
with the killing of a Chinese student found in a suitcase in an
Auckland harbor, said New Zealand Police Friday.
The Police said the latest arrest was made Thursday night in
Sydney, by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), who have been
working closely with Auckland Police over the past 10 weeks.
The 21-year-old former Waikato University student will appear
Friday in the Central Local Court, Liverpool St, Sydney, where he
will face charges of kidnapping and murder, said New Zealand
Police.
Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand, who has lead the
investigation of Wan Biao's death, said his team has been greatly
assisted by the AFP, who have put in hundreds of officer hours and
resources.
Three alleged co-offenders charged with kidnapping and murder or
accessory appeared in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday and
were remanded to appear at a depositions hearing at the Court on
Sept. 4.
Police say Wan Biao, 19, was killed in an Auckland hotel room in
the early hours on April 14.
His body was stuffed into a suitcase and dumped into the
Waitemata Harbor, where it was spotted later that day by a
fisherman.
The discovery of Wan's body came several hours after his parents
in China received a ransom demand for 800,000 NZ dollars
(US$48,000). None of the money was paid.
(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2006)
