World • 2h ago
Former Shaolin Temple abbot indicted for bribery and embezzlement
**Former Shaolin Temple Abbot Faces Bribery and Embezzlement Charges**
Prosecutors in Xinxiang, Henan province, have formally indicted Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the renowned Shaolin Temple, on multiple charges. The indictment comes four months after his arrest and follows a series of financial and sexual scandals that marred his tenure.
According to a report from the state news agency *Xinhua*, Shi has been charged with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, non-state official bribery, and offering bribes. The report, published on Friday, marks the latest development in a case that has garnered significant attention in China.
Shi, who was 60 years old at the time of his arrest, led the Shaolin Temple for over 25 years, a tenure that ended abruptly in July last year. His ousting from the temple was followed by a series of severe repercussions, including the revocation of his Buddhist credentials by the Buddhist Association of China.
The association accused Shi of "seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks." Companies linked to Shi were also deregistered, further highlighting the extent of his alleged wrongdoing. The investigation into Shi's activities led to the approval of his arrest in November, a move that was met with widespread attention in China.
The specifics of the charges against Shi, including the amount of money involved, remain unclear. The indictment marks a significant step in the case, but the exact details of the allegations and the potential consequences for Shi are yet to be disclosed.