Chinese professor detained over attack on street cleaner that prompted wave of online anger
Academic’s assault on woman prompted widespread outrage on social media
A university professor in northwestern China has been put in detention for 10 days for hitting and kicking a female street cleaner.
The teacher, surnamed Ge, was also fined 500 yuan (US$75) for assaulting the cleaner at a housing estate in Xian, Shaanxi province, local newspaper Huashang Daily reported.
Police said Ge attacked the woman on Wednesday because his car had been blocked by the cleaner’s truck.
News of the incident went viral on Chinese social media last week, drawing a wave of criticism with many web users arguing that the man’s behaviour called into question his suitability for his academic post.
Ge visited the woman in hospital three days after the attack and his wife also went to see her the following day.
Ge’s wife said angry web users had found out the family’s contact information, and she was receiving hundreds of phone calls a day.