The RCMP says it’s investigating reports of felony exercise at so-called “police stations” reportedly arrange by the People’s Republic of China in the Greater Toronto Area.
According to a latest and ongoing investigation by a Spanish-based non-government group (NGO) known as Safeguard Defenders, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has undertaken a concerted operation to pressure Chinese nationals residing overseas who’re accused of telecom and on-line fraud to return residence.
As half of this effort, Safeguard Defenders mentioned China has opened a complete of 54 so-called police “service stations” in 30 nations, together with three in Canada in the Greater Toronto Area.
It mentioned the stations are sometimes introduced as essential to “accommodate the growing administrative needs of residents abroad – for example in renewing Chinese driver’s licenses remotely and other tasks traditionally considered of a consular nature.”
But the NGO claims that the stations serve a “more sinister goal” as nicely.
CTV News Toronto has not independently confirmed the NGO report.
In a press release to CP24 on Wednesday, RCMP didn’t particularly determine the place the so-called police stations are situated in its assertion, nor did it present any additional particulars in regards to the nature of the reported felony exercise.
“The (pressure) takes threats to the safety of people residing in Canada very critically and is conscious that international states could search to intimidate or hurt communities or people inside Canada,” RCMP spokesperson Camille Boily-Lavoie mentioned. “As the RCMP is presently investigating the incident, there might be no additional touch upon the matter presently.”
“It is necessary for all people and teams residing in Canada, regardless of their nationality, to know that there are help mechanisms in place to help them when experiencing potential international interference or state-backed harassment and intimidation.”
A 21-page report launched final month famous China has claimed that 230,000 fraud suspects had been efficiently “persuaded to return” residence between April 2021 to July 2022.
This was carried out by means of a quantity of ways, the NGO mentioned, together with depriving suspects’ youngsters again in China of the best to schooling in addition to different penalties confronted by family members who’re discovered to be “responsible by affiliation.”
“Whether the targets are dissidents, corrupt officials or low-level criminals, the problem remains the same: The use of irregular methods – often combining carrots with sticks – against the targeted individual or their family members in China undermines any due process and the most basic rights of suspects,” the report states.
China’s not too long ago handed Anti-Telecom and Network Fraud Law stipulates that residents and organizations overseas can have their earnings confiscated, be fined, and/or face imprisonment upon return to the nation. The new legislation is ready to set to return into impact on Dec. 1.
Consulate says stations are for driver’s licence renewal
The consulate basic of the People’s Republic of China despatched an e mail assertion to CP24 on Wednesday night, saying the stations are primarily for Chinese residents renewing their driver’s licence, as many should not capable of return to China as a result of pandemic.
“In order to solve their practical difficulties, the local authorities in Fujian, China, have set up an online service platform. For services such as driver’s license renewal, it is necessary to have eyesight, hearing and physical examination. The main purpose of the service station abroad is to provide free assistance to overseas Chinese citizens in this regard,” the consulate mentioned.
It famous that native volunteers are facilitating the renewal examination.
“The local volunteers are not Chinese police officers,” the consulate mentioned. “They are not involved in any criminal investigation or relevant activity.”