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SINGAPORE: The family of Singaporean Audrey Fang, who was found dead in April 2024 with more than 30 stab wounds, has asked a Spanish court to keep suspect Mitchell Ong in custody for longer.<\/p>\n
Spanish news outlet La Verdad reported on Saturday (Feb 21) that Ong is approaching two years in remand and that the lawyer representing the victim’s family has asked the investigating judge to keep him detained, citing the risk that he could evade justice if released.<\/p>\n
In May last year, a Spanish court <\/span>blocked a request for Ong’s deportation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Under Spanish law, pre-trial detention can last up to two years, and judges may extend it by up to another two years in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n Ms Fang had been travelling alone in Spain when <\/span>her body was found<\/span> near a lorry parking area in the town of Abanilla on Apr 10, 2024. Ong, who was arrested shortly after, previously admitted to <\/span>taking Ms Fang to the area<\/span> but denies killing her.<\/span><\/p>\n According to La Verdad, lawyer Manuel Martinez, who is acting as private prosecutor on behalf of the victim\u2019s family, has requested a two-year extension of Ong\u2019s pre-trial detention.\u00a0<\/p>\n He said in a written submission to the judge that Ong \u201chas financial means\u201d and no ties to Spain, and warned of the \u201crisk that he could attempt to interfere with the investigation”.<\/p>\n 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. They are separate from the public prosecution.<\/span><\/p>\n Ong’s court-appointed lawyer, Mar\u00eda Jesus Ruiz de Castaneda, is seeking to have the case dismissed.<\/p>\n Under Spanish law, murder carries a prison sentence of between 15 and 25 years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n