SINGAPORE, April 1 -- The pre-trial detention of Mitchell Ong, the suspected killer of Singaporean Audrey Fang in 2024, has been extended by another two years in Spain, the court confirmed.

The decision was made by the Court of First in the town of Cieza, which cited what it described as "rational, clear and consistent" evidence against Ong and concerns that he could flee if released, Spanish news outlet La Verdad reported yesterday.

Lawyer Manuel Martinez, representing Fang's family as a private prosecutor, had requested the extension, a move also backed by the Spanish Public Prosecutor's Office.

Lawyer Maria Jesus Ruiz de Castañeda, defending Ong, had asked for provisional release under less restrictive measures, such as weekly ...