TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Singapore returned Spanish fugitive Salvador Alejandro Llinas Onate to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport early Sunday (Oct. 20) after denying him entry. Llinas Onate, wanted by Interpol, faces legal proceedings in Spain and Italy and remains in a shelter at the airport as Taiwan authorities seek a third country willing to accept him.
The fugitive's legal troubles stem from his alleged illegal sale of approximately 1,180 vehicles in 2019, generating about US$30 million euros in profit. Llinas Onate, who previously ran a rental car company in Trento, Italy, obtained permanent residency in Taiwan in 2021 and operated five companies, including two high-end restaurants in Taipei.
Taiwan's exclusion from Interpol, attributed to Beijing's opposition, may have contributed to the oversight of Llinas Onate's wanted status when he was granted residency. Despite a Taipei High Administration Court ruling on Saturday (Oct. 19) that found flaws in the deportation directive and ordered his release, the NIA proceeded with his deportation.
The NIA ordered Llinas Onate to leave Taiwan within 10 days following an Italian newspaper report on Oct. 10, which indicated his presence in Taipei. Singapore's refusal to admit him highlights the international complexities surrounding his case as authorities navigate diplomatic channels to resolve the situation.
As Llinas Onate awaits a resolution, Taiwan authorities continue to explore options for his relocation. The case underscores the challenges faced by countries like Taiwan excluded from international law enforcement networks like Interpol, potentially affecting their ability to track and manage fugitives effectively.