On 19/9, in addition to the prison sentence for extortion, the Haidian District People's Court in Beijing also fined Zhe Hanhan 100,000 CNY. She was also ordered to pay more than 70,000 CNY in compensation to the family of Su Xiangmao for funeral, travel, and other expenses in a related civil case.

Zhe and Su, the founder of the WePhone app, began their relationship in 3/2017. Two months later, they purchased a property in Hainan province for over 3.19 million CNY, with Su paying over 1.99 million CNY upfront. They registered their marriage on 7/6/2017.

Su Xiangmao (right) was five years older than Zhe Hanhan. They married after two months of dating. Photo: QQ

Su Xiangmao (right) was five years older than Zhe Hanhan. They married after two months of dating. Photo: QQ

Between July and September 2017, Zhe filed for divorce, threatening to sue Su and his tech company. She demanded 10 million CNY in emotional damages and ownership of the Hainan property.

On 18/7/2017, Su was forced to transfer 6.6 million CNY to Zhe and change the ownership of the Hainan property to her name. Despite receiving these assets, Zhe continued to threaten Su and demand more money. On 7/9/2017, Su, 36, jumped to his death.

In his suicide note, Su wrote that after giving millions of CNY to his wife of a short-lived marriage, he was coerced into signing a 10 million CNY divorce agreement, crippling his company's finances.

Su's family filed a civil lawsuit against Zhe in the Chaoyang District People's Court in Beijing on 20/4/2018.

In 3/2023, the court ruled in the civil case that Zhe's coercive tactics during the divorce proceedings were a significant factor in Su's suicide. The court annulled the divorce settlement, ordering Zhe to return nearly 10 million CNY in cash, a car, and jewelry. The court also revoked Zhe's ownership of two properties in Hainan and Beijing.

On 12/5/2023, Su’s brother reported that Zhe had returned 6.6 million CNY.

Zhe was detained on 9/6/2023 on extortion charges. Her criminal trial took place on 20/1/2025 in Beijing, where she pleaded guilty and apologized to Su’s family.

In the 19/9 ruling, the court stated that Zhe’s actions constituted extortion involving a particularly large sum. Evidence showed the marriage lasted only 42 days, with no joint marital assets. The assets Zhe seized were Su’s personal property. The court determined Zhe had no grounds for demanding compensation in the divorce and had committed extortion.

The court considered the nature, circumstances, and societal harm caused by Zhe’s crime when determining her sentence. The plaintiffs' compensation requests in the civil suit were upheld.

Tue Anh (Bjcourt)