Jaycee Chan was sentenced to six months in prison for drug-related crime. (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese authorities finally indicted Jaycee Chan, son of Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan, on the charge of sheltering others to use drugs after more than four months in detention. If convicted, the 32-year-old actor/singer will be facing three years of jail time.
Chan, along with Taiwanese actor Ko Kai, was arrested by Beijing police in August in Chan's house for possession of 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of marijuana. Both actors admitted to having used the prohibited drug and both tested positive for drug use. Ko testified that he smoked marijuana in Chan's house.
Ko was released after 14 days, while Chan, who faces a serious criminal charge, remained in police custody.
Chan was among a number of celebrities arrested last summer as Chinese authorities strived to clean up Beijing of drugs and prostitution.
Chan's father, Hong Kong film star Jackie Chan, apologized over his son's drug charge and claimed that his son's arrest was an embarrassment for him since he was proclaimed by the Chinese government as the anti-drug ambassador back in 2009.
"Regarding this issue with my son Jaycee, I feel very angry and very shocked," Jackie Chan wrote on his blog in August. "As a public figure, I'm very ashamed. As a father, I'm heartbroken."
Prosecutors announced the indictment in a one-line release, but did not mention a trial date.
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in June that the government is set to wipe out drug addiction by severely punishing the offenders. More than 7,800 people were arrested in Beijing alone. The crackdown particularly targeted celebrities due to their public influence.
Jaycee Chan has appeared in several films including "Love Speaks," "Chrysanthemum to the Beast," "Machi Action," "Whoever," and "Double Trouble," among others. The young Chan also released three albums, namely "Chaos," "Safe Journey" and one that is self-titled.
