Chinese property mogul jailed after Xi Jinping ‘clown’ jibe

Ren Zhiqiang criticised president’s handling of Covid crisis shortly before being indicted on corruption charges

Ren Zhiqiang
Ren Zhiqiang went missing in March
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A Chinese billionaire has been jailed for 18 years just months after publicly describing the country’s president as a “clown” over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

Proprety tycoon Ren Zhiqiang was placed under investigation in April over charges relating to corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds. According to a newly released statement from the Beijing No 2 Intermediate Court, the 69-year-old has been imprisoned and fined 4.2 million yuan (£485,000) after he “voluntarily confessed to all charges”.

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