China is sending a working group to Brisbane to assist police investigating the attack on nine-month-old Luka, who was badly burned after a man poured hot coffee on him in a city park before fleeing Australia.
The infant was injured at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner around midday on August 27, 2024, while on a picnic with his mother. Police allege a man approached the pair and tipped a Thermos of hot coffee over the baby, causing serious burns to his face, arms and legs.
Luka later underwent four surgeries and spent several months recovering from his injuries.
The suspect, a 33-year-old Chinese national, is believed to have left Australia days later, flying from Sydney to China on August 31. By the time police identified him, he had already departed the country.
At a press conference in Canberra on Wednesday, China’s Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian confirmed Chinese authorities would send investigators to Queensland to assist local police.
“There is going to be a working group from China coming to Australia, going to Brisbane to investigate, to see what exactly happened, how it happened,” Xiao said.
“We are serious in taking the necessary actions as a follow-up.”
Queensland Police and the Australian Federal Police said they had located the man in China and were working closely with Chinese authorities.
“The QPS and AFP are supporting a delegation of Chinese authorities to visit Brisbane in relation to this matter,” a joint statement said.
“The AFP values the ongoing co-operation from Chinese authorities and their shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice in light of the alleged offender’s location.
“China has extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute its citizens for conduct which occurs outside China.
“The QPS and AFP continue to work in close partnership to explore options for progressing this matter and are pursuing all available avenues.”
There is no extradition treaty between Australia and China, meaning the suspect cannot be extradited under Chinese law. However, authorities have previously said China can prosecute its citizens for offences committed overseas.
Queensland Police have maintained the investigation has never been shelved. Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy said last year the case had a lasting impact on officers.
“This was a horrible incident that happened almost a year ago, it struck our investigators pretty hard,” he said.
“I give credit to those investigators, they’re still working very hard on this, this isn’t something we’ve parked in the corner, this is a very serious offence, and they’re working hard on it.”
Image: 9News/ Queensland Police
