Beijing court sentences woman for extorting her husband

A Beijing court has sentenced Zhai Xinxin to 12 years in prison for extorting millions of yuan from her husband, a technology entrepreneur surnamed Su, who later took his own life.

The Haidian District People's Court said on Friday that Zhai, 39, was convicted of extortion and fined 100,000 yuan ($14,057). She was also ordered to pay more than 70,000 yuan in compensation to civil plaintiffs, including a man surnamed Wei.

The court found that Zhai's actions constituted extortion involving "an especially large amount". Evidence showed that her marriage to Su Xiangmao, the founder of the internet-calling app WePhone, lasted only 42 days and that they had no jointly owned property. The assets she demanded were Su's personal property, and she had no legal basis to seek compensation or damages through divorce proceedings.

According to the court, Zhai began a relationship with Su in March 2017. They bought a property together in Hainan province and registered their marriage in June that year.

Between July and September, Zhai demanded 10 million yuan in "emotional damages" and the transfer of the Hainan property. Su paid her 6.6 million yuan and transferred the property, but Zhai continued to press for more money.

On Sept 7, 2017, Su took his own life by jumping from a building. Before dying, he posted online about their relationship and the pressures he faced, sparking widespread debate in China.

Su's family has since pursued legal action to recover his assets. The Haidian court said she has repaid all of her illegal gains.

The court added that it took into account the nature and circumstances of Zhai's crimes and their social harm when deciding her sentence. It also ruled that the compensation claims brought by Wei and other civil plaintiffs complied with the law and would be fully upheld.