Privileged teen on trial for gang rape
李天一案首日审理 三被告认罪李某否认
Public outcry as the trial of a gang rape case involving the son of two famous Chinese singers enter its first day. 17-year-old Li Tianyi denied raping a woman at a Beijing Hotel in February. The case is making international headlines as his father is a general with the People’s Liberation Army or PLA. His profile raises concerns that the courts may favor the rich and famous.
17-year-old Li Tian Yi is in the spotlight for the wrong reason.He’s accused of gang raping a woman, along with four accomplices.
LI’s case could be another test for China’s Judicial system.Li is the son of famous singers Li Shuang Jiang and Meng Ge.Both are members of China’s People’s Liberation Army or PLA.
China’s people question transparency and demand the truth.
Netizens rage over the Internet.
The high profile case dominates local and international headlines.
Li denied having sex with the victim.
Local media downplay the incident saying the suspects "took turns having sex with the victim".
Speculations looming that his famous parents are hiding his real age.
Another strategy paving his way to a favorable verdict.
This is not Li’s first brush with the law.
About two years ago, he served detention for assaulting a couple.
It remains to be seen whether the trial of Li Tian Yi is a theatric move to show that China is becoming more transparent. until there is concrete evidence, the public will find it hard to fully trust the legal system. It would be up to China to prove that its laws are meant to punish anyone, including the rich and privileged.