Audrey Fang death: Singapore cannot investigate murder suspect Mitchell Ong even if he is deported from Spain, says MHA

SINGAPORE: Although a Spanish court has blocked the deportation of a Singaporean man suspected of killing his compatriot in Spain, Singapore authorities would not be able to investigate him, even if he is eventually sent back.

This is because Singapore does not have jurisdiction over the alleged murder committed by Mitchell Ong in Spain, said Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

"Thus, if he is deported to Singapore, we would not be able to investigate or prosecute him for the alleged murder," said MHA on Thursday (May 29) in response to CNA queries.

"This has been communicated to our Spanish counterparts. Spanish law enforcement agencies have informed us that they are currently prosecuting Ong in Spain. The Singapore government will render assistance to the Spanish authorities within the ambit of our laws."

Ong is suspected of killing Ms Audrey Fang while she was on holiday in Spain. Her body was found with more than 30 stab wounds in April 2024.

On Wednesday, a judge at the Court of First Instance and Instruction in Cieza ruled that a request to deport Ong did not meet the conditions outlined under Article 57.7 of Spain's Organic Law, which governs the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration, Spanish media reported. 

Defence lawyer Maria Jesus Ruiz de Castaneda previously told CNA that she had opposed the deportation request.

The defence had argued that removing Ong from Spain would breach fundamental principles of the rule of law and international treaties to which Spain is a signatory.

Singapore retains the death penalty for several offences, including murder.

The request had been filed by the Comisaria General de Extranjeria y Fronteras, which is part of the Spanish National Police. It was supported by the victim’s family through their private prosecution.

In Spain, victims can hire lawyers to act as private prosecutors and they can bring evidence, request statements or call for charges, among other things.

WHAT HAPPENED

Ms Fang had been travelling alone in Spain when her body was found on Apr 10 last year near a parking area for lorries in the town of Abanilla. 

Spanish media outlets reported that a preliminary autopsy report found that knife wounds and head trauma were the cause of her death.

Ong was arrested days later after camera footage showed Ms Fang being picked up from her hotel in a car thought to be driven by him. 

He has yet to make a statement about the case. Both the Spanish public prosecutor's office and the private prosecution have asked that he be charged with murder. 

Ong and Ms Fang had known each other for more than 10 years and he was made a beneficiary of her Central Provident Fund (CPF) – a mandatory social security savings scheme in Singapore – about six months before her death.