Shincheonji: Korean sect leader found not guilty of breaking virus law
The head of a South Korean strict faction has been seen not as liable of overstepping infection control laws.
Lee Man-hee, who heads the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was anyway seen as blameworthy of misappropriation and given a suspended sentence.
The congregation was at the focal point of South Korea's first major Coronavirus episode last February, and was the objective of public indignation.
At a certain point it was connected to 36% of cases in the nation.
In Spring a year ago, the Seoul regional government documented a legitimate grumbling to investigators against Mr Lee and 11 different heads of the group. They were blamed for crime, causing hurt and disregarding the Irresistible Sickness and Control Act.
Mr Lee was captured in August, following an examination. Specialists blamed the 89-year-old for concealing data about the gathering's individuals and get-togethers from contact tracers. He was additionally blamed for theft and holding unapproved strict occasions.
The congregation said Mr Lee was worried for his individuals' protection, however never concealed data from the specialists.
At a court meeting on Wednesday, Mr Lee was seen not as blameworthy of disregarding the nation's irresistible illness act.
"We can't rebuff somebody on charges of discouraging antivirus endeavors for leaving out certain information, when (the solicitation) had more to do with information assortment than a genuine epidemiological overview," said Judge Kim Mi-kyung said at the Suwon Area Court, as indicated by Yonhap News.
Investigators had initially pushed for a five-year jail sentence and a 3m won fine ($2,700; £1,971).
Mr Lee was rather seen as blameworthy of stealing 5.6bn won and obstacle of public undertakings, and was condemned to three years in jail.
Yet, he was allowed a long term probation period - which means he will avoid prison as long as he doesn't re-annoy during this time.
A Shincheonji church delegate revealed that the congregation invited the decision, yet added that it would bid against the liable charges.
As indicated by Hankuk College of Unfamiliar Examinations educator Lee Chang-hyn, whether Mr Lee had abused the infection law was a dubious one.
Prof Lee said that there was no proof to demonstrate that the rundown of individuals - which the organization chief was blaming for stowing away from specialists - was basic in forestalling the spread of the infection.
He added that the present condemning would fill in as a point of reference for future situations where Coronavirus counteraction endeavors may strife with security assurance endeavors.
The gathering, which has 230,000 individuals, is viewed as a faction by many. Mr Lee recognizes as "the guaranteed minister" referenced in the Book of scriptures, and his adherents accept he will take 144,000 individuals to paradise with him after Christ's Subsequent Coming.
The congregation says it has in excess of 20,000 adherents outside of South Korea remembering for China, Japan and territories of Southeast Asia.
The gathering is known for pressing its adherents firmly together during administrations. Glasses, accessories and hoops are apparently restricted from administrations.
Individuals from the periphery Christian gathering are accepted to have contaminated each other and afterward went around the nation, adding to South Korea's first episode last February. Mr Lee later freely apologized for the infection's spread after open resentment.
"In spite of the fact that it was not purposeful, numerous individuals have been tainted," he said at that point. "We put our most extreme endeavors, however couldn't forestall it all."
Following that flare-up, South Korea at that point seemed to have effectively kept the infection under control, yet was toward the end of last year hit by another rush of diseases.