Online cult activity faces tougher punishment

The Star, Malaysia/January 30, 2017

Beijing -- China has stepped up efforts to punish those who promote cults online and via social media, in accordance with China’s latest judicial interpretation on cult-related crime.

The internet and social media outlets have become prominent platforms for cult members to preach their ideologies in recent years.

To ensure such criminal activity can be clearly targeted by law, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuratorate jointly released the judicial interpretation on Wednesday.

According to Chinese law, a cult is an illegal organisation that tries to control people by deifying the sect leader; deludes members under the guise of religion or faith; and engages in activity that harms society.

According to the judicial interpretation, which will take effect on Feb 1, those who use online chat rooms and social media platforms such as WeChat for cult-related activities may face imprisonment, as can those who print cult messages on bank notes. — China Daily / Asia News Network

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