A female student from Beihang University, allegedly raped by her ex-boyfriend, was charged with perjury after retracting her testimony, the Beijing Times reported.

To protect her identity, the paper referred to her as Xiao Qin.

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According to a police investigation based mainly on the victim's original testimony, a Peking University student surnamed Chen raped Xiao twice after coaxing the girl into drinking an aphrodisiac.

Chen allegedly asked Xiao out on May 3 last year, suggesting it was a chance to have a peaceful breakup to a former relationship. Xiao had started seeing someone else two weeks earlier.

After dining in a restaurant, they moved to a hotel room to trim each other's finger and toenails, a ceremony suggested by a fortune-teller to ensure a painless breakup.

Chen then allegedly drugged and raped Xiao. After returning to her new boyfriend, Xiao called the police and Chen was apprehended.

Xiao's testimony was considered a vital part of the prosecution's attack. However, shortly before the trial, Xiao sent letters to the police, the prosecutor, as well as the court, stating that the sexual act was consensual. This was contrary to her previous statement.

Police were forced to restart the investigation and conduct several interviews with Xiao. She acknowledged lying in the recant because pleadings from Chen's mother had "softened" her heart.

Police have charged Xiao with perjury and allowed her to get bail. The Beijing Times reported that her trial would begin soon.

METRO