A former law maker denied he raped dozens of virgin girls,
saying he only engaged in prostitution, during his trial in Henan
Province on Tuesday, Daihe Daily reported yesterday.
Wu Tianxi, 61, the richest person in the province's Zhenping
County, and a former law maker there, went on trial for allegedly
raping 36 girls between the ages of 12 and 16, as well as
organizing and running a crime syndicate.
Some media reports said Wu hoped to save his deteriorating
health and wealth by having sex with virgins.
Sexual intercourse with a girl under 14 is considered statutory
rape in China and a criminal offense. Prostitution is a
misdemeanor.
Nanyang Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday heard the case
and may issue a ruling soon. Wu denied all charges during the
two-and-a-half-day trial. Wu is a powerful person in Zhenping.
His titles include representative of the 9th National People's
Congress, former vice president of the county's Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference, and founder of a big local food
company.
Police and prosecutors faced high pressure in tackling the case
because of his political status, according to Xinhua news
agency.
(Shanghai Daily December 8, 2007)