Canada-based pop star Wanting Qu pleads for mother in Harbin death-penalty corruption case – but China’s netizens are unimpressed
- Wanting Qu said on Weibo her ‘heart aches’ for mother Qu Zhang Mingjie, an ex-official in Harbin who prosecutors want executed in a US$52 million graft case
- A hashtag about Qu’s comments has been viewed 230 million times – and drawn scathing responses
Canada-based pop star Wanting Qu has issued a heartfelt plea for justice in the long-delayed Chinese corruption case against her mother, a former Harbin city official who prosecutors want executed for allegedly embezzling 350 million yuan (US$52 million).
“My mother has been detained for more than four years, and there is still no verdict,” Qu wrote on Monday. “My heart aches, but I still have to believe that the court will give a fair and just result.
“I wish you all a happy Spring Festival, family reunion, health and happiness.”
Chinese corruption prosecutors seek death penalty for mother of Wanting Qu
Terry McBride of Canadian record label Nettwerk said he no longer represented Qu. A request for comment lodged with an email address for Qu’s managers, listed on her Facebook page, did not receive an immediate response.