Li Xingong: Chinese official confesses to raping 10 girls

GlobalPost

Li Xingong, a former Communist Party official, is in police custody after authorities said he confessed to raping more than 10 girls.

Li was the party's deputy director in Yongcheng city in Henan province, according to CNN.

He is accused of assaulting more than 10 girls during police interrogations, reported Reuters. City authorities have "ordered swift and severe punishment on the suspect in accordance with relevant laws," the official Xinhua news agency said.

More from GlobalPost: China's exiles warn Chen Guangcheng of hard road ahead

The state-run Hangzhou Daily newspaper said police caught Li "committing the crime" on May 8 in front of a middle school in Yongcheng city, but did not give details about what Li was doing, according to the Associated Press. Police searched his office and car and found information related to the case.

Public outrage was triggered over the case on Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like micro blog, reported China Daily.

"Officials these days are all like this. It's really terrible," wrote one Weibo user, according to Reuters.

Another wrote: "These dog officials are everywhere. Only execution will sate the public's anger."

More from GlobalPost: China death taboo on its way out

According to China Daily, the victims' ages have not yet been released, but authorities pledged to give more details as they arise during the investigation.

Will you support The World?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?