Timeline

• 1994

Lai sets up Xiamen Yuanhua Group.

• 1995 to 1999

Lai's group smuggles goods and evades taxes by bribing officials.

• August 1999

Lai and his family flee to Canada under tourist visas.

• June 2000

Lai and his family apply for refugee status in Canada.

• November 2001

Lai and his wife are arrested for allegedly violating Canadian immigration law.

• June 2002

Lai and his wife are released on curfew. Lai's refugee claim is refused and he appeals to the Federal Court.

• June 2005

Lai divorces his wife.

• August 2005

Lai is arrested for breaking the curfew and he is accused of having connections with a local crime gang. Lai's bid for refugee status is denied by the Supreme Court of Canada.

• May 2006

Canada decides to deport Lai, but he appeals for judicial review of his risk assessment of being sent home.

• April 2007

Canada's Federal Court overrules the deportation order against Lai, permitting another risk assessment. Lai's curfew is removed.

• May 2009

Lai's ex-wife and daughter return to China of their own volition.

• July 11, 2011

Lai is scheduled to be repatriated on July 12, but wins an interim stay of deportation.

• July 21, 2011

The Federal Court rules to deport Lai.

• July 23, 2011

Lai is sent back to China.

• Feb 13, 2012

The local procuratorate in Xiamen prosecutes Lai for smuggling and bribery.

• May 18, 2012

The Intermediate People's Court of Xiamen sentences Lai to life in prison.