1st LD-Writethru: China nabs 680 suspects in "Fox Hunt" operation

A total of 680 fugitives suspected of economic crimes have been repatriated to China as a result of the transnational "Fox Hunt" operation launched in July, the Ministry of Public Security said Thursday.

Of those seized, 117 had been at large for over a decade and one had been on the run for 22 years, assistant public security minister Meng Qingfeng told a press conference.

Of the 680 suspects, 208 were involved in economic crimes involving over 10 million yuan (1.6 million U.S. dollars), 74 of which were involved in cases involving over 100 million yuan.

Overall, 390 turned themselves in, with 332 doing so after Oct. 10, the date Chinese authorities announced that criminals that gave themselves up before the deadline of Dec. 1 would receive lighter punishment.

The fugitives had been hiding in 69 countries and regions, according to the ministry.

Chinese police filed coordinated investigation applications in over 90 countries and regions, and more than 70 Chinese police teams were sent overseas to support the operation.

China's ongoing counter-corruption campaign aims to catch high-ranking "tigers" and low-level "flies," the terms assigned to officials depending on rank and level of corruption.

The six month Fox Hunt 2014 operation, from July to Dec. 31, aimed to to "block the last route of retreat" for corrupt officials in line with the ongoing crackdown on abuse of power.

"As long as people remain at large, the hunt will go on," Meng said, stressing there was "no safe haven" for suspects.

The ministry urged those still evading the authorities to hand themselves in, calling it "the only correct choice." Endi