China Jails Outspoken Tycoon Ren Zhiqiang for 18 Years
- Ex-Huayuan chairman sentenced on graft charges Tuesday
- Ren linked to article criticizing Xi’s coronavirus response
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China jailed outspoken property tycoon Ren Zhiqiang for 18 years on graft charges, months after he was linked to an article criticizing President Xi Jinping’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
The former chairman of Huayuan Property Co. was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to four charges including corruption and abuse of power, the No.2 Beijing Intermediate People’s Court said. Ren was found to have amassed some 132 million yuan ($19 million) in bribes and other ill-gotten personal benefits between 2003 and 2017, the court said, adding that he had agreed not to appeal.