A Chinese tycoon denounced Xi Jinping and now he faces prosecution

The party accused Ren Zhiqiang, an influential property tycoon who criticized Xi Jinping, of being disloyal, took aim at his children and paved the way for criminal prosecution

China’s ruling Communist Party has expelled an outspoken and prominent property tycoon who denounced the country’s authoritarian leader, Xi Jinping, paving the way for his criminal prosecution and escalating its efforts to quash dissent among the elite.

The party announced the expulsion of the tycoon, Ren Zhiqiang, late Thursday, and said that it had seized his assets for “serious violations of discipline and law” that included the possession of golf club memberships. Officials also took aim at Mr. Ren’s family, accusing him of “colluding with his children to accumulate wealth without restraint.”

The moves against Mr. Ren, 69, appeared designed