Chinese fugitive evades police for 13 years by becoming TV actor

A Chinese actor who played a detective in a television drama has been arrested after spending 13 years on the run from the police. Ji Siguang is accused of attacking a policeman in the city of Qiqihar in northern China with three other men. The officer's gun was stolen during the assault.

Since then, Mr Ji is alleged to have gone on the run, changed his name to Zhang Guofeng, and built a career as one of China's most successful character actors. He has appeared in more than 30 television dramas, including a hugely popular series named Lurk in 2009.



Other roles included a spy in the series The East is Red, 1949, and a Qing-dynasty eunuch in Miracle-working Doctor Dadaogong. According to China's state media, Ji Siguang was generally cast in parts with few lines, but was much loved by directors for his loyalty.

Mr Ji was finally tracked by police in southern China where he was filming a new costume drama named Shaolin Tigers in which he portrays a Buddhist monk. He has reportedly admitted his involvement in the 1998 assault and confessed he had always been scared he would be recognised.

With news video.