CHINA
DW
August 23, 2018
Police in China are investigating one of the country’s most prominent monks over allegations he sexually assaulted nuns at his monastery in Beijing. The case has galvanized China’s fledgling #MeToo movement.
Chinese police have opened a criminal probe into sexual misconduct claims against high-profile Buddhist monk Xuecheng, China’s top religious authority said Thursday.
A statement from the State Religious Affairs Administration said he is also facing censure from the official government-run Buddhist Association on suspicion of “violating Buddhist precepts.”
The 51-year-old stepped down as head of the association earlier this month after fellow monks accused him of sending explicit text messages and demanding sexual favors from nuns at his monastery in Beijing’s northwestern suburbs. They also said he had embezzled funds. Xuecheng denies the charges.
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