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Liu Zhen

Chinese-Canadian rapper and singer Kris Wu Yifan has been formally arrested and charged with rape, prosecutors in Beijing said.
The 30-year-old, one of China’s most influential young celebrities, had been accused of date rape by teenage beauty influencer Du Meizhu and was detained by police on July 31.
In a series of posts on the social media platform Weibo, Du, 18, claimed Wu had raped her and other women – claims the singer denied.
Chinese law allows a maximum detention period of 37 days for criminal investigation before either a formal arrest or release without charge.


Rape usually carries a sentence of between three and 10 years, but can be higher if there are aggravating circumstances.
Monday’s statement from the Chaoyang district procuratorate announcing the charges did not give Wu’s full name, only referring to him as “the suspect surnamed Wu and name ending with fan” – a standard practice in China and the form used in the Beijing police statement that said he had been detained.
In an investigation report released on July 22, the Beijing police rejected Wu’s claims about his relationship with Du. Police accused him of luring her to his home in December on the pretext of selecting her to appear in a music video, giving her alcohol and later having sex with her.
Kris Wu and nearly 1,000 supporters removed from Chinese social media
Wu transferred 32,000 yuan (US$4,950) to Du for online shopping three days later.
The two continued to communicate on China’s instant messaging platform WeChat until April 2021, according to the police.
In that statement the police said they were also investigating allegations that Wu had date-raped other young women.

The singer, who is a Canadian national, rose to fame as part of the hit K-pop boy band EXO. After a messy split, Wu established himself in the Chinese market, modelling for dozens of well-known brands and taking part as a judge on shows such as The Rap of China.
But since Du’s allegations spread on Chinese social media, Wu lost his deals with major brands, including Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, L’Oreal Men and Porsche.


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Singer Kris Wu charged with rape in China

Wu, one of China’s most popular celebrities, has already lost a string of lucrative endorsements. Photo: AFP

***PLEASE CLEAR COPYRIGHT BEFORE REUSE*** Chinese influencer Du Meizhu. CREDIT: Du Meizhu

Kris Wu removed from Chinese social media and nearly 1,000 supporters’ accounts meet the same fate following rape allegations

Social media companies in China removed Kris Wu from their platforms and banned or suspended accounts that had supported him. Source: Getty Images

PARIS, FRANCE - JANUARY 16: Kris Wu wears sunglasses, outside Vuitton, during Paris Fashion Week - Menswear Fall / Winter 2020-2021 on January 16, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Edward Berthelot/Getty Images)

=== PHOTO CAPTURED FROM WEIBO === Image of Dou Meizhu. WEIBO

Kris Wu did have a relationship with teen influencer, police in China say after her date-rape allegation against the singer and model

Singer Kris Wu attends a promotional event in Shanghai in May for Seeyoung, one of several Chinese and global brands to announce they were severing ties with him in the wake of the scandal over his alleged date rape of a teenage beauty influencer. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Singer Kris Wu Yifan attends a Porsche event in April 2021 in Shanghai. The German car brand dropped him as a spokesman this week. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Kris Wu wears a Louis Vuitton bag at Paris Fashion Week in June 2019. The luxury brand, having initially suspended him as a brand ambassador, on Friday terminated its relationship with the rapper and model. Photo: Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

Beauty influencer Du Meizhu, who claims she was date-raped by Kris Wu last December at his home. Police have confirmed she and Wu had a relationship, which the singer had publicly denied. Photo: Du Meizhu

Kris Wu scandal: China’s internet watchdog seeks to rein in unruly celebrity fan culture

Kris Wu bumped Ariana Grande off the iTunes charts in 2018. Photo: Artwork

(FILES) This file photo taken on January 19, 2017 shows Chinese-Canadian pop idol Kris Wu attending the premiere of Paramount Pictures' "xXx: Return Of Xander Cage" in Los Angeles, California. - Louis Vuitton, Porsche and Bulgari on July 20, 2021 joined a legion of brands in dropping Chinese-Canadian pop idol Kris Wu, as sexual assault allegations swirling around the star drew condemnation across Chinese social media. (Photo by Angela Weiss / AFP)

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The Chinese-Canadian star was accused of date rape by the beauty influencer Du Meizhu earlier this year
Wu, one of China’s most influential celebrities, has already been dropped by a number of major brands



The Chinese-Canadian star was accused of date rape by the beauty influencer Du Meizhu earlier this year.


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