A former law maker denied he raped dozens of virgin girls, saying he only engaged in prostitution, during his trial in Henan Province on Tuesday, Daihe Daily reported yesterday.

Wu Tianxi, 61, the richest person in the province's Zhenping County, and a former law maker there, went on trial for allegedly raping 36 girls between the ages of 12 and 16, as well as organizing and running a crime syndicate.

Some media reports said Wu hoped to save his deteriorating health and wealth by having sex with virgins.

Sexual intercourse with a girl under 14 is considered statutory rape in China and a criminal offense. Prostitution is a misdemeanor.

Nanyang Intermediate People's Court on Tuesday heard the case and may issue a ruling soon. Wu denied all charges during the two-and-a-half-day trial. Wu is a powerful person in Zhenping.

His titles include representative of the 9th National People's Congress, former vice president of the county's Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and founder of a big local food company.

Police and prosecutors faced high pressure in tackling the case because of his political status, according to Xinhua news agency.

(Shanghai Daily December 8, 2007)