The leader of a cult in southern China, who was convicted of organizing the illegal cult, rape, fraud, and production and sale of harmful food was sentenced to life in prison.
Wu Zeheng, founder of "Huazang Zongmen," was sentenced on Friday by Zhuhai City Intermediate People's Court in the southern province of Guangdong, and fined 7.15 million yuan (1.13 million U. S. dollars), according to the court.
Three of his adherents also were given sentences of up to four years in prison on charges including fraud and perverting the course of justice.
Wu, born in 1967 in Guangdong, has been propagating the pseudo-religion Huazang Zongmen as a lofty sect of Buddhism and claimed to be the successor of several eminent monks.
Also in the name of charity and life science and through inflammatory preaching, Wu lured a growing number of followers, who were interested in Buddhism, were suffering diseases or thought association with the cult would ward-off ill fortune, according to the police.
Wu slept with many women by saying he could give them "supernatural power." He was also found to have amassed more than 6.7 million yuan in ill-gotten gains, according to the court.
Wu said he would appeal.
