Man extradited from Singapore to New Zealand faces rape, home invasion charges

A Chinese national accused of raping and strangling a woman during a violent home invasion appeared in a New Zealand court on Wednesday to face charges, seven months after he was extradited from Singapore.Zhang Xuesong reportedly fled to China following the alleged March 2024 Auckland break-in, complicating efforts to arrest him as no extradition treaty exists between the two countries.The 41-year-old subsequently visited Singapore, where he was returned to New Zealand last September.Zhang, who is also a Singapore resident, faces multiple charges including sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault, aggravated burglary, strangulation, assault with a weapon and sexual violation by rape.The real estate professional pleaded not guilty in the Auckland-high-court" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="63757" data-entity-type="organization">Auckland High Court, which set a trial date for March 2027, The New Zealand Herald reported.He risks two decades behind bars if convicted of the top charges.Zhang Xuesong faces multiple charges including sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault, aggravated burglary, strangulation, assault with a weapon and sexual violation by rape. Photo: Shutterstock