Chinese man gets 13 years for palace art theft

Legal World

A Beijing court sentenced a Chinese farmer to 13 years in jail on Monday for stealing art pieces from the Forbidden City, the heavily guarded former imperial palace in China's capital.

The official Xinhua News Agency said Shi Baikui, 27, was also fined $2,100 for taking the nine items made of gold and jewels in May 2011. It said six were recovered but three pieces worth an estimated $23,800 remain missing.

The stolen pieces were small Western-style gold purses and mirrored compacts covered with jewels.

Xinhua said Shi told the court the theft was a "spur-of-the-moment" act. The incident sparked public concern about security loopholes in the Forbidden City, also known as the Palace Museum.

Xinhua said officials began a four-year security upgrade in 2009 to equip the museum with advanced security equipment and technology.

Related listings

  • Belgium seeks world court order on ex-Chad leader

    Belgium seeks world court order on ex-Chad leader

    Legal World 03/11/2012

    Lawyers for Belgium urged the United Nations' highest court Monday to order Senegal to prosecute former Chad dictator Hissene Habre or extradite him for trial for allegedly masterminding atrocities during his brutal eight-year rule. Habre has lived i...

  • 'Holland's Next Top Model' wins agency lawsuit

    'Holland's Next Top Model' wins agency lawsuit

    Legal World 03/07/2012

    A former winner of the television show "Holland's Next Top Model" has won a lawsuit against Elite Model Management after she was dropped for having hips the agency considered too large. The Amsterdam District Court ruled Wednesday that Ananda Marchil...

  • Sudan's defense minister sought by int'l court

    Sudan's defense minister sought by int'l court

    Legal World 03/01/2012

    The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant Thursday for Sudan's defense minister, the third senior regime official sought by the court for alleged involvement in atrocities in Darfur. The court announced it wants Abdelrahim Mohamed Hus...

Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys

The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.

The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.

Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .

Business News

St Peters, MO Professional License Attorney Attorney John Lynch has been the go-to choice for many professionals facing administrative sanction. >> read