Xu Yao (Xu Yao)

Biography

2024: Death penalty for murder of company founder

On March 22, 2024, the Shanghai People's Court of First Intermediate Instance sentenced to death the former CEO of Three-Body Universe (Shanghai) Culture Development Co Ltd. Xu Yao was found guilty of the murder of Lin Qi, the founder of Chinese game developer Yoozoo Games (the parent structure of Three-Body Universe).

Qi founded Yoozoo Games in 2009, becoming one of the wealthiest young entrepreneurs in the PRC. The company is engaged in the creation and publication of browser and mobile games, primarily mass multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), in Asia, Europe and North America. In 2015, Qi's fortune was estimated at approximately $2.75 billion.

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According to the investigation, due to disagreements over the management of the business, Yao poured a poisonous substance into Qi's food from December 14 to 15, 2020. As a result of the poisoning, the man died after 10 days: the efforts of doctors to save his life were in vain. At the time of his death, he was 39 years old.

Yao was arrested by law enforcement on December 18, 2020. It turned out that in the period from September to December 2020, he also poisoned drinks in the company's office, which injured four more people. They, despite the poisoning, were able to survive.

The court order said Yao's actions were deliberate and "compromised public safety." The documents also note that "the motive for his crime was low, and the consequences turned out to be extremely serious." On this basis, the accused was sentenced to capital punishment. According to Chinese law, since the decision was made at the first court hearing, Yao has the right to appeal. Whether the man is going to take advantage of this opportunity is not specified as of March 22, 2024.^[1]

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