Whistle-blower arrested on suspicion of embezzlement

The whistle-blower who revealed that the manager of a public cemetery was making a huge profit has been detained on suspicion of embezzlement.

The Lufeng Party Commission of Discipline Inspection confirmed the move on April 1.

The anti-graft agency in Lufeng city, in eastern Guangdong province, said the detention was not politically motivated.

"Detaining Lin Jianguo, former head of Tandong village in Tanxi township, was not in retaliation for Lin's reporting. And detaining Lin does not run counter to any law or regulation," a statement from the agency said.

"Lin is suspected of functionary embezzlement," said the statement, released on the official website of the Lufeng city government on Monday.

Lin became well-known among locals and netizens early this year after he reported in his real name that Lin Yaochang, a local businessman, had earned more than 300 million yuan ($48.3 million) after Lin Yaochang was hired to run a public cemetery in Lufeng's Tanxi township.

Lin Yaochang who is also a deputy of the Shanwei People's Congress, was quickly dubbed "Grandpa of Graves" after the case was reported by local media.

Lin Yaochang reportedly built and managed the public cemetery and then sold the graves for more than 2,000 yuan a square meter. He has sold more than 8,000 graves so far.

Lufeng's anti-graft body also said the investigation of Lin Yaochang is well under way, and the findings will be made public soon.

Han Zhipeng, a member of Guangzhou Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said Lin Yaochang certainly broke some regulations and rules by operating the public cemetery for a large profit.

Public cemeteries should not be used by any company and individual for commercial purposes, Han said on March 26.

"The local civil affairs bureau failed to supervise the operation of its public cemeteries," Han told China Daily.