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A convicted murderer in China has sparked outrage after hosting a lavish banquet outside his victim’s family home to celebrate his release from a 20-year prison sentence. The event, marked by firecrackers and festive decorations, deeply angered the victim’s family and triggered widespread condemnation online.
The incident came to light through videos shared on Douyin by the victim’s son, known as Xiang, from Mianyang, Sichuan province. Xiang recounted the traumatic loss of his father at the age of 15. His father, then 39, was brutally murdered in their home by three killers hired by a neighbor during a dispute among relatives. To destroy evidence, the perpetrators set the body on fire. Xiang, shielded by his family from seeing his father’s remains, revealed that the tragedy was followed by years of threats and intimidation from those involved.
The crime saw two of the killers executed, while the mastermind and another accomplice were sentenced to death with reprieve, later commuted to life imprisonment. Under China’s Criminal Law, individuals sentenced to death with a reprieve can have their terms reduced to a minimum of 20 years for good behavior.
Xiang, now living and working in Shenzhen, rushed back to his hometown on November 14 upon learning of the murderer’s release and plans for the celebratory banquet. The next day, the convict hosted an extravagant event featuring 18 banquet tables set up in front of Xiang’s family home. Despite the family’s repeated pleas to stop the festivities, they continued unabated until police and local officials intervened.
Videos of the banquet show guests arriving in a rural courtyard adorned with a red carpet, entering to the sounds of firecrackers. Xiang described the event as an act of "blatant provocation and overwhelming malice," expressing his frustration in an online post: "If I had the chance, I would want to ask the killer why he made a choice that caused pain to two families. Instead, I was met with hostility on the day of his release."
The Qingyi Town government confirmed that officials had intervened and held “educational sessions” with the convict and his family. Both parties reportedly agreed to avoid further conflict.
The public’s response to the incident has been overwhelmingly critical. One commenter questioned, “What was the point of 20 years in prison if this is the result?” Another called for an investigation into the sentence reduction, while others condemned the banquet attendees, asking, “What were they thinking?”
Source: SCMP
