Indian charged for violating criminal laws in China, faces jail

Beijing, July 17: An Indian man who has been detained in China for alleged terror link is likely to face 10 years of imprisonment for violating criminal laws, media reported.

Man identified as Rajiv Mohan Kulshrestha was arrested by Chinese authorities at Erdos Airport, Inner Mongolia on July 10.

According to media reports, The Chinese authorities informed the Indian embassy on Thursday that the Indian detainee held for "links to terror group" along with eight others was being charged for violating criminal laws that could result in jail sentence of three to 10 years. The charges include distributing videos and material related to terrorism and involvement in terrorist activities, sources said.

Rajiv was part of group of 20 people who visited China on an excursion trip organised by 'Gift of the Givers Foundation to explore ancient China as part of "a planned 47-day journey.

Indian officials are expected to meet him after the formalities related to consular access. The embassy has sought and obtained consular access to provide Kulshrestha with a lawyer.

South African officials have confirmed that tourists were watching videos of the 12th century Mongol king, Genghis Khan. There is an ongoing dispute between China and Mongolia about Khan's origins, with China saying he belonged to its Inner Mongolia province, and Mongolia claiming him as its own.

The other detainees include five South Africans and three Britons, while six other British nationals were deported, the British embassy in Beijing confirmed. Five South Africans rounded up along with the others also expected to be deported.

OneIndia News