The Liaoning government should take the blame for the controversy surrounding the bankruptcy of a company that produced and sold a well-known aphrodisiac made from ants in what officials are calling a pyramid scheme, victims and rights activist said yesterday.
The scheme is believed to involve at least 10 billion yuan and a million investors.
The arrest of Wang Fengyou, president of the bankrupt Yilishen Tianxi Group, for allegedly instigating social unrest has furthered angered investors, who believe they have been conned.
Many also accused the province of trying to divert public focus from Wang's alleged illegal money-raising by charging him over causing social disturbance, not scamming.
Wang allegedly paid employees and executives about 1.4 million yuan to protest outside provincial government offices in Shenyang last month, early reports said. But reasons behind the demonstrations are still unclear.
Shenyang-based activist Sun Haiyang said nearly 30 police cars had been stationed outside the government offices since last month to prevent further protests.