Inner Mongolia marital rape case returns to court
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A widely discussed criminal case in Inner Mongolia was scheduled for a second first-instance hearing on September 8 at the Ergun City People's Court, after an earlier first-instance hearing in August 2025. Prosecutors allege that defendant Liu, a man in his 40s, assaulted his wife Wang Jing, who was using a pseudonym, during a divorce cooling-off period in March 2025 after suspecting her of an affair. The indictment says he then forced her into sex and recorded two videos on his mobile phone, while police later transferred the case for prosecution on suspicion of intentional injury and rape. The case has drawn renewed attention because the defence has argued that rape within marriage cannot be established, while authorities have refused repeated applications to change Liu's detention status.
Key Points
- Sing Tao reported Liu and Wang Jing married in 2010, and by March 2025 they were preparing to divorce during the statutory cooling-off period
- The indictment cited by on.cc said the couple had applied for an uncontested divorce in February 2025 and were living separately during the cooling-off period
- According to Sing Tao, Liu allegedly kicked Wang in the waist after demanding she strip, causing L2-L4 left transverse process fractures rated as minor injury level one
- Both reports said Liu was accused of forcing sex after the assault and using his phone to film two video clips of the incident.
- Police detained Liu on March 23, 2025 on suspicion of rape, and investigators later transferred the case for prosecution on suspected intentional injury and rape.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case is notable because it centres on whether forced sex can be prosecuted within a marriage when a couple is already separating, an issue that continues to attract strong public debate. It also shows how courts and prosecutors may weigh alleged violence, injury findings and detention risk even when the accused disputes the charges and seeks release pending trial.