Inside China Today

Arrests during protest over mishandling of Deng Yujiao’s murder case

At 9am on May 28th, more than 30 protestors gathered in Hubei Province in front of the Beijing Administration Office, protesting against the unjust handling of Deng Yujiao’s case. Soon after, more than 20 police officers and plainclothes officers arrived on scene. Ten protestors were taken to the Dazhong Temple police station. The protest lasted less than an hour, with police charging the complainants with ‘disturbing public order’.

Deng Yujiao was a waitress working at a karaoke lounge and entertainment club. Allegedly, while doing laundry she was propositioned for sexual services by Deng Guida, a town council official, and his colleague Huang Dezhi. After refusing, the two men then attempted to rape her. She responded by stabbing Deng Guida several times with a pedicure knife, killing him, while Huang Dezhi was stabbed once. Deng Yujiao was arrested and placed under house arrest. There has subsequently been huge public outcry over her case.

Liu Dejun, who was involved in the protest, said there were about 30 to 40 people in the protest. She said about 20 police officers arrived with some in uniform and some in plainclothes, the officers did not produce police identification or warrants for their arrest. She says the protestors were manhandled and forced inside a police vehicle.

Another protester, Ms Wang said any person with a conscience, who knew of what happened to Deng Yujiao would be outraged. She says it is normal to act in self-defence especially against two animal-like males. It would be wrong for Hubei police to charge her with intentional homicide.

Reporters contacted the Dazhong Temple police station asking how the case was going to be handled. They received the following response: “We can not tell you how we are going to handle the case; we have our own procedures in handling cases.” The officer then hung up.

Liu Dejun said the police officers held the protestors on the ground of ‘disturbing public order’ and from 11:30am onwards they each faced interrogation. They were threatened with detention for a further 24 hours.

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