Recently, Ms. Zhang, a resident of Bayan Nur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, suffered a broken bone caused by a retired public servant, identified as a first-degree minor injury. She refused to privately settle the matter by accepting money from the other party. Concerned that the case might be interfered with, Zhang took to the internet to expose the incident. In response, the police requested her to delete the posts citing “public opinion.”
According to a report by the Huashang Daily on October 23, 27-year-old Ms. Zhang said, “I suffered a comminuted fracture of the right tibia, deemed a first-degree minor injury. I have no other demands except that they bear the legal responsibility!”
Ms. Zhang explained that the retired couple who assaulted her were former employees of the Market Supervision Bureau and the Power Bureau. After the first-degree minor injury assessment, they proposed a 400,000 yuan settlement, which she refused.
The incident unfolded when Ms. Zhang’s mother ran a retail store in Linhe District of Bayan Nur City. On the morning of September 15, they noticed a black SUV parked outside the store. Later, an altercation ensued between them and the occupants of the SUV, resulting in physical violence.
Surveillance footage shows that as Ms. Zhang’s mother returned to the store around 11:38 am, a verbal exchange occurred between her and the individuals near the parked SUV. Subsequently, physical violence broke out, leading to injuries sustained by Ms. Zhang and her mother.
Despite being approached by mediators offering a 30,000 yuan settlement, they refused. The police detained the male perpetrator for 12 days and the female for 10 days. With the male perpetrator requesting a 400,000 yuan settlement after his release, Ms. Zhang stood firm in her decision to decline.
Fearing undue influence on the case, Ms. Zhang expressed concerns about the perpetrators’ positions in the Market Supervision and Power Departments. However, she remained determined to seek justice through online platforms and refused private settlements.
In late October, the police contacted Ms. Zhang, demanding the deletion of her online posts due to the “sensitive nature” of the case. Despite threats of institutional investigations, details from official channels remained elusive.
Recordings from later in October with the police indicated that a criminal case of intentional injury had been filed. The incident has sparked significant attention on social media platforms.
Online commenters have expressed a range of opinions, highlighting concerns about the severity of the injuries, accountability of retired officials, and potential legal ramifications. Discussions on the complexities of accepting compensation versus the risks of extortion have also emerged, reflecting broader societal dilemmas.