China detains 428 suspects in international anti-graft net

Chinese police have detained 428 fugitives suspected of committing economic crimes in an international manhunt that began in July, the government said here today.
The fugitives were nabbed in 60 countries and regions, the Ministry of Public Security said.
Of those nabbed, 141 were involved in economic crimes involving over 10 million yuan (USD 1.63 million) and 32 have been at large for more than 10 years, the ministry said.
Of the suspects nabbed in the campaign, 231 turned themselves in, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
China launched its "Fox Hunt 2014" campaign targeting corrupt officials and suspects in economic crimes who have fled the country, and gave criminals a deadline to give themselves up before December 1.

Although the deadline has passed, some fugitives have reported themselves and intend to return to China to surrender, the ministry said.

Those who have already reported themselves to relevant overseas bureaus and will return to China before December 31 may also receive more lenient sentences, the ministry said.
"As long as there is one at large, the hunt will never end," said Liu Jinguo, vice minister of Public Security, adding "Fox Hunt 2014" has become a strong symbol for China to carry out an international anti-corruption drive.
The campaign has adopted advanced technologies and reinforced international police cooperation to seize suspects and make breakthroughs in Africa, the South Pacific, and western Europe, the ministry said.

The ministry said that it will strengthen law enforcement cooperation worldwide and broaden international coordination channels so as to crack down on fugitives.