China sentences 'cult' leader to life in prison amid crackdown: Xinhua

[rug]

Sat Oct 31, 2015 7:41am EDT
BEIJING
(Reporting by Paul Carsten and Ben Blanchard; Editing by Tom Heneghan)

China has sentenced the head of what it calls a cult to life in prison on charges including rape and fraud, state news agency Xinhua said on Saturday, continuing a crackdown on what it views as dangerous illegal movements.

After a probe lasting more than a year, a court in the southern province of Guangdong on Friday sentenced Wu Zeheng, founder and leader of the Buddhist-inspired Huazang Dharma group, and fined him 7.15 million yuan ($1.13 million), Xinhua cited the court as saying.

Three others were also sentenced to up to four years in prison for fraud and perverting the course of justice. Wu intends to appeal, according to Xinhua.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan U.S. government commission, says Wu and his followers are being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/31/us-china-religion-crime-idUSKCN0SP0HC20151031

http://www.huazangcentre.com/?page_id=7343&lang=no

http://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/press-releases/china-uscirf-condemns-arrest-chinese-buddhist-leader-wu-zeheng-and

[Cartoonist]

1. Rape and fraud

Yeah, I guess those are religious beliefs.

[rug]

2. There's definitely a fraud going on.

I wouldn't trust that tribunal to determine rape.

Check the USCIRF link.

[Fred Sanders]

3. Meanwhile, in America, cult leaders are given copious free public airtime and tax free status.