Accused US child rapist appears in HK court

HONG KONG, May 4 (Reuters) One of America's most wanted fugitives, accused of raping his daughter and posting the video on the Internet, appeared before a Hong Kong court today at the start of extradition proceedings.

Kenneth Freeman, 44, a body-builder and former sheriff's deputy from Washington, contested the charges which could hold up the extradition process for months or more, said Senior Detective Inspector Tobi Lothian of the Hong Kong police.

''I've worked on an extradition case that lasted for about two and a half years,'' Lothian told Reuters, referring to a previous case.

Lothian would not say how long police had been aware of Freeman, who had been living in China for about a year, most recently in the industrial city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province.

Freeman had been charged with child rape in Washington state and was released on bond in December 2005. He fled the country after federal charges were brought in early 2006 and has been the subject of a worldwide manhunt since.

He will appear in court for a second hearing on July 3 for further extradition proceedings. If Freeman does not further contest the extradition, he could leave Hong Kong after the July 3 hearing.

''He could sign some papers and be on his way -- not immediately but on an expedited basis,'' Wayne Walsh, deputy principal government counsel for Hong Kong's Department of Justice, told Reuters.

An extradition treaty exists between the United States and Hong Kong, which was signed in 1996 and has remained in force after the former British colony's return to Chinese rule in 1997. The arrest was based on a formal request by the US State Department.

In the meantime, Freeman will be held in a maximum-security prison in the city's Kowloon district.

Freeman, who was arrested on Wednesday after crossing into Hong Kong from mainland China, appeared in court in a navy-blue short-sleeved shirt and khaki trousers, with a bandage on his arm but looking composed. The bandage was a result of a scuffle when he was apprehended by Hong Kong authorities.

''There was a minor struggle and both him and four of our officers were slightly injured. They were all sent to hospital for treatment,'' Lothian said.

Freeman was believed to be travelling on his own at the time he was arrested, Lothian said, adding that the fugitive had not spoken much after he was detained.

The internet video was one of the most widely downloaded child pornography videos in years, US law enforcement officials have said.

REUTERS AM PM1150