Source: OT-Team(G), Daily Mail, ABC
A cross-border investigation is intensifying into a brutal assault on an infant in Brisbane, after authorities confirmed fresh cooperation between Australia and China, where the alleged offender has been located.
The attack took place in 2024 at Hanlon Park in Stones Corner. A nine-month-old boy, identified in Australian media as Luka, was with his family when a 33-year-old Chinese national allegedly approached and threw a container of scalding coffee over the child before fleeing. Police have described the assault as random and unprovoked.
The baby suffered severe burns to his chest, neck and face and was rushed to hospital. He has since undergone at least eight surgeries. Ongoing treatment is expected to include extensive skin grafting, microneedling and laser therapy, underscoring what doctors describe as a long and painful recovery process.
CCTV footage shows the suspect leaving the park immediately after the incident. Investigators later established that he travelled by car to Sydney and flew out of Australia on August 31, 2024, shortly before authorities formally confirmed his identity. Early public notices contained an incorrect name, with police only verifying his true identity after his departure.
The alleged offender has been identified as a 33-year-old Chinese citizen who had been living in Australia on a student visa since 2019. During that period, he reportedly worked in warehouses and at an abattoir. His motive remains under investigation. Reports that visa-related issues may have been a factor have not been officially confirmed.
The case initially raised concerns about accountability because Australia has no extradition arrangement with China. However, authorities say this does not preclude legal action. China's legal system allows for extraterritorial jurisdiction in certain cases, meaning Chinese citizens can be prosecuted in China for alleged criminal conduct committed overseas.
A significant development emerged on January 28, when Australian media reported that the man's whereabouts in the Chinese mainland had been confirmed. China's Ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, subsequently announced that a Chinese working group would travel to Brisbane.
Speaking in Canberra, Ambassador Xiao said the delegation would work with Australian counterparts to clarify the facts of the case, examine how the incident occurred and discuss practical cooperation mechanisms. He said China was serious about addressing the matter and taking necessary steps.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said they support the visit by Chinese authorities. The AFP said it values the ongoing cooperation from China and the shared commitment to pursue all avenues for justice given the alleged offender's location. Both agencies said they are working closely to explore options for progressing the case and remain committed to seeking justice for the child.
The incident has prompted strong reactions in both Australia and China, with widespread public condemnation of the violence. The boy's family has also spoken of the continuing impact. In a social media post last August, his mother described her son as the victim of a deliberate act of violence against a child, saying each surgery brings renewed physical suffering and a painful reminder that legal justice is still being pursued.
Investigations remain active, with further details expected as cooperation between Chinese and Australian authorities continues.
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