Judge Bi Qiqi, Known for Defending His Mother, Is Arrested in Connection with Alleged Black Society Involvement

In a case that has sparked significant public interest, Judge Bi Qiqi, who previously gained online attention for defending his mother in a high-profile legal case, has been officially approved for arrest by the prosecution and was executed by the Nanchao County Public Security Bureau on August 8, 2025.

Bi Qiqi’s involvement in the case stems from his mother, Ji Tingmei, who is accused of being part of a black society organization. However, the timing of Bi Qiqi’s arrest—just as the trial for Ji Tingmei’s case was set to proceed—has raised questions about the nature of his involvement and the potential influence he may have wielded over the proceedings.

Background of the Case

The case traces back to 2022, when the Xichuan County Public Security Bureau was investigating Ji Tingmei’s alleged involvement in a black society organization. At the time, the case involved the Zhenping Yuzhiyou Trading Company, whose business assets were critical to the livelihoods of many local merchants. Due to the potential economic impact, the government opted to manage the company rather than shut it down. However, this management was delegated to the town government, which in turn hired the former office director of the company, Li Mou, to oversee operations.

According to the investigation, during the period of government oversight, Li Mou and other company employees allegedly violated the terms of the management agreement by withholding a portion of the income, including fees from merchant stalls, management fees, and other charges, and failing to deposit them into the designated government account. These discrepancies came to light during an audit conducted by the Xichuan County Public Security Bureau in April 2025.

The Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Following the audit, the Xichuan County Public Security Bureau reported the findings to the Nanyang Municipal Public Security Bureau, which then directed the Zhenping County Public Security Bureau to investigate further. The Zhenping County Public Security Bureau launched an investigation and, on June 13, 2025, initiated a criminal investigation into Li Mou and others for alleged embezzlement.

During the investigation, Li Mou and others admitted that they had been instructed by Bi Qiqi to divert funds from the company. The funds, they said, were either spent on personal expenses or transferred to Bi Qiqi and other individuals. This revelation led to Bi Qiqi’s own arrest on suspicion of money laundering and embezzlement.

Given concerns about potential bias and interference in the case, the Nanyang Municipal Public Security Bureau assigned the Nanchao County Public Security Bureau to handle the investigation, ensuring that the case would be handled impartially. On July 10, 2025, Bi Qiqi was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and, following further investigation, was charged with embezzlement.

Legal Analysis and Public Reaction

Legal experts have noted that the current charges against Bi Qiqi are based on the assumption that the assets in question are not yet classified as part of a black society organization. However, should the court later confirm that Ji Tingmei and her associates are indeed part of a black society, the charges against Bi Qiqi could be upgraded to money laundering, which carries more severe penalties.

In addition, the Zhenping County Discipline Inspection Commission had already initiated an investigation into Bi Qiqi for other disciplinary violations in May 2025, highlighting the broader concerns surrounding his conduct.

As the legal proceedings continue, the case has drawn widespread public attention, raising important questions about the role of judicial officials in high-profile cases and the potential for conflicts of interest within the legal system.