The sentencing in the case of rare artefacts stolen from the Forbidden City last year took place in Beijing Monday morning. The Second Intermediate People’s Court in Beijing sentenced Shi Baikui, a 27 year old farmer, to 13 years of imprisonment.
He was also deprived of political rights for 3 years and fined 13,000 yuan. He had earlier pled guilty to his crimes on Feb 17. Shi has also admitted to stealing a notebook and mobile phone despite not being accused of this.The Court decided that the defendant’s behavior resulted in great social harm, but that because of his forthcoming confession decided against giving the maximal sentence.

备受公众关注的5•8故宫失窃案一审宣判。依照中华人民共和国刑法，北京市第二中级人民法院宣判：判决石柏魁有期徒刑13年，剥夺政治权利3年，罚金1万3千元。