'Magical doctor' sentenced to 15 years

A so-called "magical doctor" in Henan province who acquired numerous followers for his unconventional treatment methods was sentenced to 15 years on Wednesday for illegally practicing medicine after his actions caused the death of a college student.

Hu Wanlin, 65, who has no doctor's certification and who has never received medical training at a school, rose to prominence in China in the 1990s after he was portrayed by some publications as a magic doctor who could cure diseases such as cancer.

Hu was sentenced just three years after being released in December 2011 following an 11-year sentence for the same crime. He was arrested in 1999 after the deaths of several people who received his treatments, including Liu Famin, the former mayor of Luohe.