Chinese Police Chief Pays Cash to Settle Hit-and-Run Case
- 14 years ago
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The infamous Chinese case of "My Father is Li Gang" has closed early. On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the father of the drunken driver accused of killing a student, had paid the victim's family nearly $70,000 U.S. dollars in compensation. The victim's father says he was pressured into settling the case--one that has attracted wide public interest in China.
It was a case that spawned widespread public distain in China against those with power and money.
A deputy police chief from northern Hebei province, Li Gang became infamous after his son ran down two students at the Hebei University campus last month. Li Qiming had shouted "my father is Li Gang" after the incident, apparently trying to avoid responsibility. One girl died from the accident.
Now Li Gang has paid $69,000 U.S. dollars in compensation to the victim's family. It was in exchange for them to not pursue a case against his son, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. The victim's father, Chen Guangqian told the A.P. Li Gang's colleagues had pressured him into settling the case. Chen also stopped working with a lawyer that offered to represent the family for free.
Since the accident, the phrase "My father is Li Gang" became an instant catchphrase on Chinese internet. It satirically targets those in China acting above the law, wielding power and money.
Many had hoped the case would be settled by law. But this outcome was not unexpected. In China, disputes between ordinary citizens and powerful individuals often end this way, with payments made to avoid lawsuits and stop the victims from publicly airing their grievances.
The driver Li Qiming has not been formally charged. The standard punishment in China for drunk driving is the death penalty.
Last month, Chinese State media was ordered to stop publishing stories on the incident.
The infamous Chinese case of "My Father is Li Gang" has closed early. On Thursday, the Associated Press reported the father of the drunken driver accused of killing a student, had paid the victim's family nearly $70,000 U.S. dollars in compensation. The victim's father says he was pressured into settling the case--one that has attracted wide public interest in China.
It was a case that spawned widespread public distain in China against those with power and money.
A deputy police chief from northern Hebei province, Li Gang became infamous after his son ran down two students at the Hebei University campus last month. Li Qiming had shouted "my father is Li Gang" after the incident, apparently trying to avoid responsibility. One girl died from the accident.
Now Li Gang has paid $69,000 U.S. dollars in compensation to the victim's family. It was in exchange for them to not pursue a case against his son, the Associated Press reported on Thursday. The victim's father, Chen Guangqian told the A.P. Li Gang's colleagues had pressured him into settling the case. Chen also stopped working with a lawyer that offered to represent the family for free.
Since the accident, the phrase "My father is Li Gang" became an instant catchphrase on Chinese internet. It satirically targets those in China acting above the law, wielding power and money.
Many had hoped the case would be settled by law. But this outcome was not unexpected. In China, disputes between ordinary citizens and powerful individuals often end this way, with payments made to avoid lawsuits and stop the victims from publicly airing their grievances.
The driver Li Qiming has not been formally charged. The standard punishment in China for drunk driving is the death penalty.
Last month, Chinese State media was ordered to stop publishing stories on the incident.