A Beijing district court Thursday sentenced to three years in jail an internet rumour-monger who defamed celebrities and the government.
Qin Zhihui, known as "Qinhuohuo" in cyberspace, was sentenced to two years on defamation charges and another year for affray, Xinhua reported.
He was found guilty of spreading rumours about several celebrities including popular television hostess Yang Lan from 2012 to 2013.
Qin is the first person to appear in court on charges of spreading rumours since the ministry of public security vowed to target those who spread online rumours in August last year.
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