Internet rumormonger gets 3-year jail term (1/2)

Qin Zhijun (R), an alleged rumormonger, goes on trial at the Chaoyang District People's Court in Beijing, capital of China, April 17, 2014. Qin Zhihui, known as "Qinhuohuo" in cyberspace, was accused of creating and spreading rumors about several Chinese celebrities including popular TV hostess Yang Lan, as well as China's former Ministry of Railways, via Sina Weibo, China's Twitter-like service, from December 2012 to August 2013, according to prosecutors. Qin was sentenced to two years on defamation charges and another year for affray on Thursday. Qin is the first person to appear in court on rumormongering charges since the Ministry of Public Security vowed to target those who spread online rumors last August. (Xinhua/Gong Lei)