Audrey Fang case: Spain court blocks Mitchell Ong's deportation to S'pore over death penalty concerns

A judge in Spain has denied a request to deport Mitchell Ong, the Singaporean man accused of killing Audrey Fang, back to Singapore over concerns about the death penalty.

Ong, 43, is suspected of killing Fang, 39, in Abanilla, Spain, in April 2024.

The woman was travelling solo in Spain before she was found dead 150km away from where she was last seen.

She had at least 30 knife wounds on her.

The deportation request was made by Spain's police agency responsible for immigration and border control matters, and was supported by the lawyer representing Fang's family, according to Spanish media La Opinion de Murcia.

Ong's attorney opposed the request, stating that an expulsion would be a violation of the rule of law and international treaties Spain has signed and ratified.

The judge said the request to deport Ong did not meet the conditions outlined under Article 57.7 of Spain's Organic Law, where the immediate deportation of a foreigner can take place if the individual has been charged and is given a jail sentence of six years or less, or given an alternate sentence, such as a fine.

If Ong is convicted of murder in Spain, he could reportedly be jailed for a minimum of 15 years or up to 25 years.

Several offences warrant the death penalty under Singapore's law, including murder.

Top photo via Mitchell Ong Instagram, Fang family