China forced 2,500 ‘fugitives’ back from overseas during pandemic, report finds

Methods used in Sky Net program range from family intimidation to state-sanctioned kidnappings, says rights group

Chinese authorities captured more than 2,500 fugitives" from overseas and brought them back to China during the pandemic, under a program using methods ranging from family intimidation to state-sanctioned kidnapping", according to a new report.

Human rights group Safeguard Defenders estimates in its report published on Tuesday that the continued repatriations now total more than 10,000 since Beijing launched operation Fox Hunt in 2014, followed by Sky Net in 2015.