Former Shaolin Temple abbot indicted for bribery and embezzlement

Prosecutors have formally indicted Shi Yongxin, the former abbot of the famed Shaolin Temple, four months after his arrest and following a string of financial and sexual scandals.

Prosecutors in Xinxiang, Henan province, have formally charged Shi with embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, non-state official bribery and offering bribes, according to a Friday report from state news agency Xinhua.

The 60-year-old former abbot led the Shaolin Temple for over 25 years and was ousted in July last year.

The same month, the Buddhist Association of China revoked Shi’s Buddhist credentials, accusing him of “seriously undermining the reputation of the Buddhist community and the image of monks”. Companies linked to Shi were also deregistered.

Following an investigation, local authorities announced in November the approval of his arrest on multiple criminal charges.

The specific amount of money involved in the charges against Shi has not been disclosed.