Gang rape lawyer claims victim tried to extort his client

The lawyer of a high-profile gang rape case has asked the court Monday for a thorough investigation into whether the alleged victim was involved in organized prostitution and extortion.

The lawyer, Lan He, wrote on his Sina Weibo that he made a strong representation over the matter during a pretrial meeting that was held Monday afternoon in Beijing.

Lan also confirmed with the media that his client, a minor surnamed Li who allegedly participated in a gang rape, had received an extortion text message after the alleged rape took place.

Lan declined to reveal the exact amount demanded in the text message but previous media reports said that the alleged victim, surnamed Yang, asked for 500,000 yuan ($81,416) in exchange for her silence.

Yang's attorney, Tian Canjun, slammed the accusation of extortion.

"With all the evidence provided, we are ready to sue and demand compensation," said Tian, who did not disclose the amount of compensation proposed.

Li is the 17-year-old son of two high-profile People's Liberation Army singers. He and four other people, only one of whom is an adult, allegedly participated in a gang rape on February 17 in Beijing.

Li's lawyer told the media after the pretrial meeting that his client does not plan to mediate over any compensation before the trial. "We will consider compensation according to the verdict," said Lan.

Both lawyers and Li's mother attended the pretrial meeting Monday.

Yang's lawyer said his client is receiving counseling in Beijing after going through the traumatic experience. She previously released a statement via her lawyer, slamming the accusation that she is a "bar hostess," saying that even prostitutes should enjoy basic human rights.