Jackie Chan’s Son Indicted On Drug Charge, Could Face Imprisonment
On Monday, China’s state prosecutor confirmed that courts have indicted Jaycee Chan, son of the action film star Jackie Chan, on drug charges for which he was arrested earlier this year in Beijing with fellow actor Ko Kai. The 32-year-old singer and actor had tested positive for marijuana, and police stated that they found 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of the drug in his home at the time of arrest in August. Jaycee has been detained since the incident, and has been unavailable for comment.
Video of the arrest was aired on the state broadcast channel CCTV, in which the younger Chan was shown identifying marijuana in the home. Ko-Kai has also testified on camera that he used drugs in Jaycee’s home. Perhaps due to such footage, no formal denial of the charges have been released to the public.
Local prosecutor’s state that in addition to possession and use of the drug, legal proceedings are being filed against him for “the crime of sheltering others to take drugs,” though it is unclear as to what this infraction might entail.
The indictment means that Jaycee is sure to endure a publicized trial, and could face up to three years in prison.
Jackie Chan is said to be particularly embarrassed, as he was named China’s Goodwill Ambassador for the National Anti-Drug Committee in 2009, a role that had him involved in humanitarian work to promote the cause.
On his personal blog, the elder Chan stated that Jaycee’s arrest was “very shocking and the impact it has caused on society is heartbreaking. When I first heard the news, I was absolutely enraged. As a public figure, I feel very ashamed; as his dad, I’m very sad and disappointed.”
In June, China’s President, Xi Jinping, stated that the nation would “harshly crack down” on drug use and trafficking, a move that saw several arrests and charges against other celebrities over the summer, which were highly publicized on media outlets and social media platforms. Those arrested included actors, singers, television personalities, and film directors.
China treats drug charges very seriously, and those found to be using or trafficking drugs could face life imprisonment or the death penalty in severe cases. Recreational use of illegal substances has been on the rise in the country as disposable income has increased for some.
News about Jaycee Chan’s indictment comes less than a week after the loss of Jackie Chan’s cameraman, Chan Kwok-hung, during the filming of the star’s latest movie in Hong Kong.
[Image courtesy of the Huffington Post]
