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Singer Kris Wu charged with rape in China

  • The Chinese-Canadian star was accused of date rape by the beauty influencer Du Meizhu earlier this year
  • Wu, one of China’s most influential celebrities, has already been dropped by a number of major brands

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Wu, one of China’s most popular celebrities, has already lost a string of lucrative endorsements. Photo: AFP
Chinese-Canadian rapper and singer Kris Wu Yifan has been formally arrested and charged with rape, prosecutors in Beijing said.
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The 30-year-old, one of China’s most influential young celebrities, had been accused of date rape by teenage beauty influencer Du Meizhu and was detained by police on July 31.

In a series of posts on the social media platform Weibo, Du, 18, claimed Wu had raped her and other women – claims the singer denied.

Chinese law allows a maximum detention period of 37 days for criminal investigation before either a formal arrest or release without charge.

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Pop star Kris Wu detained by police in China over rape allegations

Pop star Kris Wu detained by police in China over rape allegations

Rape usually carries a sentence of between three and 10 years, but can be higher if there are aggravating circumstances.

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Monday’s statement from the Chaoyang district procuratorate announcing the charges did not give Wu’s full name, only referring to him as “the suspect surnamed Wu and name ending with fan” – a standard practice in China and the form used in the Beijing police statement that said he had been detained.

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