Chinese prosecutors order arrest of former government cult-buster and internet censor Peng Bo

Peng is accused of party disloyalty, receiving bribes and failing to supervise the internet in China, says CCDI

He once worked under Lu Wei, the disgraced internet tsar, who was jailed for 14 years for corruption in 2019

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Peng Bo was expelled from the Communist Party earlier this month. Photo: Handout

Published: 2:47pm, 26 Aug 2021Updated: 11:15pm, 26 Aug 2021

Senior cult-buster Peng Bo is set to be prosecuted after being investigated by the nation’s anti-corruption watchdog since March, according to Chinese prosecutors.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate said in a statement that it had approved the order for Peng’s arrest and was moving the case forward.

Before his arrest, 64-year-old Peng was teaching at Peking University following service as deputy director of the central government’s office responsible for combating cults and cult-related issues.

In China, “cults” are deemed to be groups engaging in inhumane, antisocial or unconstitutional practices, which could involve violent crimes, fraud, sexual abuse or posing a threat to social stability.

In March, Peng was placed under investigation by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection for allegedly receiving bribes. His loyalty to the party was questioned and he was accused of failing to supervise the internet industry while serving as the deputy chief of the Cyberspace Administration of China.

This month, Peng was stripped of his Communist Party membership in a high-profile notice from the CCDI, which documented details of his alleged misconduct.

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