A Chinese court has executed a man to death for murdering his ex-wife while she was live-streaming her. The case shocked the nation and sparked calls for better protection against domestic violence.
Tang Lu the man who set fire to his ex-wife tried to appeal against his sentence in January 2022 but lost.
Background:
After a day-long trial, the Intermediate People’s Court of Sichuan’s Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture said in its judgment Thursday that defendant Tang Lu had committed an “extremely cruel” crime.
When Tang Lu’s ex-wife, 30-year-old Ram, was broadcasting live on Douyin last September, Tang Lu poured gasoline on her and set her on fire.
The case has drawn intense attention in China, where its legal system has been criticized for failing to protect women from domestic violence, even after they seek help.
China introduced an anti-domestic violence law in 2016. But the penalties are light, and women say restraining orders are rarely enforced. Since the law was enacted, more than 900 women have died at the hands of their husbands or partners.