Prosecution follows rape case mediation

A procuratorate in Lushan county, Henan province, initiated public prosecution of a teenage rape suspect on Tuesday, in the wake of a huge public uproar over an earlier announcement that the two families involved reached a settlement through the procuratorate's mediation efforts.

In a statement issued by the Henan Provincial People's Procuratorate, which oversees the Lushan procuratorate, the procuratorate said the wording of the earlier announcement was "incorrect" and caused "very bad social influence". It was also wrong to report on the case when it is still unfinished.

On July 17, Lushan police detained a 16-year-old boy who was suspected of raping a 17-year-old girl. The Lushan procuratorate approved the arrest on July 24.