Husband cleared of blackmail after receiving $3,500 from wife's lover upon catching them in hotel

According to Huashang News, as cited by SCMP, the Intermediate People’s Court of Zibo in Shandong Province ruled on October 8 that the man, identified by the surname Lu, was found not guilty after a review initiated earlier this year by the Shandong Provincial High Court.

The case started when 33-year-old Lu became suspicious of his wife's unfaithfulness and tracked her to a hotel, where he caught her in the act with a man identified by the surname Liu. Following the confrontation, Liu admitted to the affair and transferred 25,000 yuan (about US$3,500) to Lu as "compensation."

A Chinese husband receives US$3,500 from his wife's lover upon catching them in hotel. Illustration photo by Unsplash

However, Liu later reported Lu to the authorities, accusing him of extortion, leading to Lu's conviction.

In November 2021, a District Court sentenced Lu to six months in prison and imposed a 5,000 yuan fine for extortion.

After his two appeals were rejected by the Zibo Intermediate People’s Court in 2022, Lu took the case to the Shandong Provincial High Court. The high court found inconsistencies and unverified facts, prompting it to order a retrial.

In January 2024, the intermediate court reheard the case and acquitted Lu, concluding that Liu’s actions violated public morality and that Lu had received the money through negotiation rather than extortion.

The court also concluded that Liu was responsible for violating public order, good customs, and moral standards by engaging in an affair with Lu’s wife. Lu's lawyer, Wang Yantao, credited the media attention surrounding the case for influencing the decision to overturn the original verdict.