<p> A murder suspect whose proposed deportation to Taiwan was a catalyst for huge anti-extradition protests in Hong Kong was released from prison on Wednesday but, despite saying he wanted to face justice, will remain in the city as a diplomatic spat continues.</p>.<p>Months of increasingly violent pro-democracy demonstrations in the financial hub were sparked by protests against a now-cancelled extradition law -- which would have allowed suspects to be extradited to the authoritarian mainland China.</p>.<p>Hong Kong's Chan Tong-kai, 20, is wanted in Taiwan for the 2018 murder of his pregnant girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing.</p>.<p>Chan, who spent 18 months in custody over money laundering charges, apologised to the victim's family and the city as he left the maximum security prison.</p>.<p>He apologised for the great "pain and agony" he had caused Poon's family, and hoped his decision to surrender would offer them some relief.</p>.<p>"As for the society and Hong Kongers, I could only (say) I'm sorry," he said, adding that he hoped to be forgiven and start life afresh.</p>.<p>Chan, ignoring reporters' other questions, said: "I am willing to surrender myself... and go back to Taiwan to face the trial and serve the sentence."</p>.<p>However, Chan will not leave Hong Kong for Taiwan yet.</p>.<p>Taiwanese authorities said in a press conference that he would not be admitted to the self-ruled island like ordinary visitors, according to reverend Peter Koon, who frequently visited Chan in prison.</p>.<p>"Our original plan was that I would accompany him to Taiwan and (the press) wouldn't have seen him," Koon told AFP, adding that Chan would have been sent directly from the prison to the city's airport.</p>.<p>Taiwan had said it asked to collect Chan -- and the relevant evidence -- but was rejected by Hong Kong authorities, who called the request disrespectful and "totally unacceptable".</p>.<p>The city has seen the worst unrest since the city's handover from Britain, as the movement sparked by opposition to the extraction bill seeks greater democracy and police accountability.</p>
<p> A murder suspect whose proposed deportation to Taiwan was a catalyst for huge anti-extradition protests in Hong Kong was released from prison on Wednesday but, despite saying he wanted to face justice, will remain in the city as a diplomatic spat continues.</p>.<p>Months of increasingly violent pro-democracy demonstrations in the financial hub were sparked by protests against a now-cancelled extradition law -- which would have allowed suspects to be extradited to the authoritarian mainland China.</p>.<p>Hong Kong's Chan Tong-kai, 20, is wanted in Taiwan for the 2018 murder of his pregnant girlfriend Poon Hiu-wing.</p>.<p>Chan, who spent 18 months in custody over money laundering charges, apologised to the victim's family and the city as he left the maximum security prison.</p>.<p>He apologised for the great "pain and agony" he had caused Poon's family, and hoped his decision to surrender would offer them some relief.</p>.<p>"As for the society and Hong Kongers, I could only (say) I'm sorry," he said, adding that he hoped to be forgiven and start life afresh.</p>.<p>Chan, ignoring reporters' other questions, said: "I am willing to surrender myself... and go back to Taiwan to face the trial and serve the sentence."</p>.<p>However, Chan will not leave Hong Kong for Taiwan yet.</p>.<p>Taiwanese authorities said in a press conference that he would not be admitted to the self-ruled island like ordinary visitors, according to reverend Peter Koon, who frequently visited Chan in prison.</p>.<p>"Our original plan was that I would accompany him to Taiwan and (the press) wouldn't have seen him," Koon told AFP, adding that Chan would have been sent directly from the prison to the city's airport.</p>.<p>Taiwan had said it asked to collect Chan -- and the relevant evidence -- but was rejected by Hong Kong authorities, who called the request disrespectful and "totally unacceptable".</p>.<p>The city has seen the worst unrest since the city's handover from Britain, as the movement sparked by opposition to the extraction bill seeks greater democracy and police accountability.</p>