Men suspected of brutal attack on Hong Kong businessman ‘fled to Pakistan’
Police source says pair who allegedly stabbed a Pakistani businessman in Tsim Sha Tsui last year have fled to their hometown via Shenzhen
PUBLISHED : Friday, 27 March, 2015, 4:30pm
UPDATED : Saturday, 28 March, 2015, 4:36am
Clifford Lo [email protected]
Ali Bilal (left) and Muhammad Imran are wanted by Interpol. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Police believe suspects in a brutal attack on a Pakistani businessman in Tsim Sha Tsui more than a year ago have fled to Pakistan, with which Hong Kong has no extradition treaty.
A tip-off was received that the suspects - Ali Bilal, 28, and Muhammad Imran, 33 - were hiding in Punjab province, a police source close to the case said.
The force has asked the Department of Justice to request that Pakistani authorities enforce an Interpol "red notice", issued in January to locate and arrest them, the source said.
A red notice from the international police agency is akin to a global arrest warrant.
"Police received information that the two culprits had recently returned to their hometown of Sialkot after they fled Hong Kong for Shenzhen through illegal channels," the source said.
It was unknown whether the two men were still in Pakistan, he added.
They are among 17 people wanted by Hong Kong authorities under Interpol red notices. While Hong Kong and Pakistan do not have an extradition pact, another police source said the city could still seek the suspects' return if they were arrested.
"It could involve a lengthy legal process though," he said.
The Yau Tsim Mong district crime squad is investigating.
Ali and Muhammad are accused of attacking businessman Qamar Minhas, 44, with a box cutter in broad daylight at a busy shopping area on Nathan Road on January 10 last year. Minhas sustained a deep, 45cm-long gash on his back, which bled profusely, but he survived.
Qamar Minhas fears for his life and family. Photo: Bruce Yan
The businessman joined his family in Hong Kong about 24 years ago. He is now a member of the anti-discrimination watchdog the Equal Opportunities Commission, president of the Pakistan Association and chairman of the Incorporated Trustees of Islamic Community Fund.
After the attack, the father of four took security measures to protect himself and his family, and reduced his business and social activities. He seeks police protection if he takes part in public meetings.
In an interview with the South China Morning Post early this year, Minhas said he still lived in fear as both assailants and the mastermind of his assault remained at large. He said he did not know why he was attacked.
Police had said Muhammad and Ali sought asylum after arriving from Pakistan. They were understood to have lived in the city for about seven years and about three years, respectively.
Days after the stabbing, the United Muslim Association wrote to Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, saying the attack had "damaged the reputation of a peaceful city".
The association requested Leung take "immediate and serious action" to provide "comfort and safety" to the public, and to monitor the case personally.
Three other men of South Asian origin were arrested in February last year. They were later released without charge.
