Notorious blogger gets five years

Figure from Red Cross charity scandal admits guilt, asks for fairness

A well-known Chinese micro-blogger whose online posts were criticized for tarnishing the reputation of the Red Cross Society of China was sentenced to five years in prison and fined 50,000 yuan ($7,840) on Thursday for operating gambling houses.

Guo Meimei, 24, was sentenced after a 10-hour trial in Beijing Dongcheng District People's Court. No appeal was announced.