A Chinese man was sentenced to 24 years in jail for brutally attacking female customers in Tangshan in a controversial case that stirred resentment about violence against women in China.
A local court in Hebei province on Friday convicted Chen Jizhi and four others of beating four women with chairs, bottles, punches, and kicks at a barbecue restaurant in June after one of the ladies refused Chen's sexual overture.
One of the victims was threatened by a fifth defendant, who was found guilty of pressuring them not to inform the police.
According to the court, per CNN, Chen was the head of a criminal organization that had perpetrated several crimes during the previous 10 years. He was found guilty of starting fights and making trouble, robbing, opening casinos, illegally holding other people, and hurting people on purpose. He was fined 320,000 yuan.
The court sentenced 27 additional defendants to jail terms of six months to 11 years for their involvement.
According to the court, two of the ladies had "second-degree minor injuries" while the other two had "slight injuries."
Surveillance footage of the incident went viral in June.
Brutal Attack Caught on Cam Sparked National Outrage
In the footage, Chen can be seen walking up to the female diners and putting his hand on one of their backs. Chen smacks the lady when she pulls him away and pushes her to the ground.
Other guys join in, pulling a lady outside by her hair, striking her with bottles and chairs, and kicking her head. One woman attempting to assist her gets shoved aside and severely hits her head on the stairwell's back.
The shocking recordings sparked widespread outrage and anguish, and many women worried for their safety, as per a report from ABC News.
The viral video also brought up memories of the public's desperation over gender-based violence that went unpunished, such as the incident earlier this year in which a video of a woman tied to a wall in a rural home went viral. The authorities discovered that the woman had been trafficked and sold as a bride.
Nine people-seven men and two women-were first detained by police for attacking the four women. The injuries suffered by two of the victims required hospitalization.
An expanded inquiry into criminal activity and corruption has grown out of the first probe into the public attack. The prosecution said that 27 additional persons would face charges for offenses discovered during the investigation.
Feminist Movement Gaining Momentum in China
In August, Communist Party officials announced they were investigating 15 people for wrongdoing involving "evil organizations," including the assailants.
The 15 people, who also include the head of Tangshan's public security department and police officers from several stations, are accused of misconduct, bribery, and other offenses relating to their jobs. During the inquiry, eight of them have been held in custody.
Despite opposition, pervasive censorship, and inconsistent legal assistance for victims of assault, discussions of feminism have become more popular in China.
CNA reported that domestic violence is still prevalent and underreported in China, according to activists for women's rights, and well-known feminists are frequently harassed by the authorities and detained.
