World News
New Zealand religious sect leader jailed over death of Chinese follower Shulai Wang
Kaixiao Liu was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for manslaughter and kidnapping after the body of an elderly follower was found in a bag near Auckland.
The short version
- Sect leader Kaixiao Liu received a sentence of more than 10 years in prison for manslaughter and kidnapping following the 2024 death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang.
- Wang, who had traveled from China to live with Liu and his family under restrictive conditions of servitude, died in March 2024 after an attempted escape.
- Liu's wife, Lanyue Xiao, was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison, while his parents await sentencing for their involvement.
Key facts
- The body of Shulai Wang was discovered wrapped in rice bags near Auckland's Gulf Harbour in March 2024 by a fisherman.[BBC News]
- Police traced the crime to Kaixiao Liu by identifying unusually large purchases of the specific brand of rice bags used to conceal the victim's remains.[BBC News]
- Prosecutors stated that Wang and other female followers lived in servitude, referring to Liu as 'Lord' or 'Master' and adhering to strict domestic and behavioral rules.[BBC News]
- The court heard that Wang attempted to escape in March 2024, but was caught, restrained, and subsequently died that same day.[BBC News]
- Liu, a musician and former contestant on China's Got Talent, denied the charges, denied being a cult leader, and argued that he only attracted followers through his music.[BBC News]
- Lanyue Xiao was sentenced to nearly eight years for kidnapping and manslaughter, while Liu's parents, Xiuyun Li and Jingui Liu, face sentencing later this year for kidnapping and misconduct relating to human remains.[BBC News]
Sources
- NZ religious sect leader jailed over death of Chinese followerBBC News - World