2026-09-19
In January 2024, Shanghai entrepreneur Zheng Shuai was taken away by Shaoyang County police because his company developed VPN software. Citing financial difficulties, the police demanded 100 million yuan to "buy freedom." Although Zheng paid the money, he was still arrested. Currently, at least 64.8 million yuan has been credited to the Shaoyang County treasury. The case involves prolonged detention beyond statutory limits without a verdict, and the implicated Public Security Bureau Director Yin Xiangfeng and others were removed from office in July 2025.
2025-07
According to a report dated September 19, 2026, Yin Xiangfeng, director of the Shaoyang County Public Security Bureau, and Tang Zhanxiong, deputy director, both involved in the Zheng Shuai case, were removed from office in July 2025, but Zheng Shuai remained in custody as of the report's publication.