Notorious ‘guru’ dies after arrest
Print Edition
A self-proclaimed Chinese spiritual guru who gained notoriety for his ties to celebrities and grandiose claims of mystic powers before being arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a disciple, has died in hospital.
Wang Lin died yesterday after complications from a serious autoimmune disorder led to multiple organ failure, the Intermediate People’s Court in Fuzhou in the eastern province of Jiangxi said.
An exponent of the ancient spiritual practice of qigong, who claimed to be able to cure cancer and conjure snakes from thin air, Wang shot to prominence in 2013 after photographs of him posing with celebrities were splashed in newspapers, along with claims he profited from corrupt and superstitious officials who believed he could help to advance their careers.
The allegations against Wang turned more serious in 2015 when police in his home province of Jiangxi detained him and three others over the kidnapping and death of businessman Zou Yong, who reportedly paid Wang large sums of money to become a follower.
Last November, the Fuzhou prosecutor found Wang “criminally responsible” for illegal detention, fraud, gun possession and bribery. He was granted bail last month. The court said it would rule on his illegally derived income later.
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