Government Seeks International Help to Extradite Spanish Fugitive from Taiwan.
The government has reached out to international partners to assist in extraditing Salvador Alejandro Llinas Onate, a Spanish fugitive who was denied entry into Singapore and later sent back to Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport. Llinas Onate remains in the airport’s restricted area for passengers while authorities work to resolve his situation.
Llinas Onate, who was deported to Singapore on Saturday, is banned from re-entering Taiwan due to a Red Notice issued by Interpol. He is wanted by both Spanish and Italian authorities, according to Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA).
The NIA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is seeking his extradition to Spain. The fugitive is facing charges related to a car rental scam in Italy, and the government hopes to return him to face legal proceedings.
Airport Detainment and Legal Proceedings
Upon Llinas Onate’s arrival in Taiwan, the NIA immediately denied his re-entry. He has been confined to the airport’s Security Restricted Area, where he is being provided with a room, meals, and access to communicate with his family and legal team.
Indicted by Italian prosecutors, Llinas Onate is accused of orchestrating a 30 million euro (US$32.6 million) scam involving car rentals. He also allegedly established a fraudulent company in Trento, Italy. Despite his legal troubles abroad, he had gained permanent residency in Taiwan in 2021 after first entering the country on a dependent visa in 2019.
Earlier this month, the NIA had ordered Llinas Onate to leave Taiwan within 10 days. However, on Saturday, the Taipei High Administrative Court ruled that the deportation had procedural flaws and ordered his release. The ruling came too late, as he had already been escorted by NIA officers onto a flight to Singapore earlier that day.
International Crime and Taiwan’s Legal Process
The NIA emphasized that cracking down on international financial crime is a top priority for all governments. Officials defended their actions, stating that the deportation was carried out legally and with the intent of protecting Taiwan’s national security and public safety.
Citing the Regulations Governing Forcible Deportation of Foreigners and Article 18 of the Immigration Act, the NIA explained that individuals who pose a threat to national interests or public security can be barred from entering Taiwan.
Efforts to extradite Llinas Onate are ongoing as authorities work with international partners to ensure he faces justice for his alleged crimes.
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