Tang Lu was executed by a court in southwestern Sichuan province, according to Global Times, citing the Intermediate People’s Court of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.
Tang was allowed to meet his family before the execution, Global Times reported.
Tang’s ex-wife, Lhamo, was a farmer and live streamer in the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture. State media reported that Tang had a history of physical abuse towards Lhamo, and the couple divorced in June 2020.
He repeatedly sought her out and asked to remarry in the following months, but was turned down.
The case received widespread national and international media coverage, sparking debate about the abuse and mistreatment of women in China — and how the country’s legal system often fails to protect victims and easily pardon perpetrators.
Until 2001, when China amended its marriage law, abuse was not considered a ground for divorce.
China enacted its first nationwide law banning domestic violence in 2015, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that defined the crime for the first time and includes both psychological and physical abuse.
However, critics say there are still gaps in the law – it doesn’t cover same-sex couples and makes no mention of sexual assault.
The debate on violence against women and gender inequality in China has continued since Lhamo’s death.