Refer China: Several Foreigners Held Accountable After Street Brawl in SH

Penalties may include...

Several Foreign Nationals Held Accountable After Street Brawl in Shanghai

On September 10, Shanghai's Huangpu District authorities released details of a violent street altercation involving several foreign nationals, which has now resulted in legal consequences.

Check our latest video on China Visa and foreign-related knowledge!

Follow our channel for updates 👇

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on a November morning in 2024. A sudden outbreak of shouting shattered the dawn quiet, as a group of Moroccan nationals erupted into a violent street fight. In the midst of the chaos, one man collapsed to the ground, only to be repeatedly kicked and punched by several others. When the crowd eventually dispersed, the victim was left with a swollen, bloodied face. Although he managed to call the police, he left the scene before officers arrived.

Police investigation revealed that the individuals involved were Moroccan expats who frequently visited the same bar in Huangpu District and were already acquainted. A week prior, tensions had escalated between K and Z over a minor disagreement, with K suffering injuries but choosing not to report them. Z reportedly used injuries to solicit money from others.

On the day of the altercation, Z was seen introducing K's girlfriend W to others at the bar. Learning of this, K confronted Z after the venue closed, leading to the physical conflict. Another friend, N, who had his own grievances with Z's past behavior toward his girlfriend, joined the fray and allegedly kicked Z.

Following a judicial medical assessment, Z was found to have suffered a fractured right nasal bone, classified as a minor injury under Chinese law. As a result, K and N were placed under criminal investigation for suspected intentional injury. The case was submitted for prosecution.

The Huangpu District Legal Aid Center assigned lawyer Mr. Huang from JINMAO Law Firm to defend N. Upon meeting N, Mr. Huang emphasized that all individuals in China, regardless of nationality, must obey Chinese laws. He rejected excuses such as communication difficulties or cultural misunderstandings, stressing that none justify violent actions. N expressed remorse for his behavior.

Upon careful review, Mr. Huang discovered insufficient evidence directly linking N to the facial injury. Medical evidence also suggested alternative causes for Z's nasal fracture. Prosecutors ultimately accepted Mr. Huang's argument, dropping charges against N while pursuing prosecution against K.

Although this altercation stemmed from interpersonal matters, authorities emphasized that such behavior disturbs public order and must be addressed within the framework of Chinese law. Repeat brawls in the area involving the same individuals had raised serious concerns.

While N was not prosecuted, he may still face administrative penalties under China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law. For foreign nationals, such penalties can include mandatory exit or deportation.

Source: 新闻坊