China cracks down on doomsday rumor cult

XINING, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 600 members of the "Almighty God" cult across China have been detained for spreading rumors of an impending apocalypse on Dec. 21.

The cult, established in 1990 in central China's Henan Province, has promised salvation to those who join before "doomsday."

Most of the cult members apprehended by police were detained for 5 to 10 days for disturbing social order, in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Administrative Penalties for Public Security.

Police have detained more than 400 "Almighty God" cult members in northwest China's Qinghai Province. A large number of leaflets, banners, computer discs, slogans, books and printing machines were seized by police.

"Advice before catastrophe: Satan's men will be extinct. Only the 'Almighty God' can save man. Anybody who resists God will go to hell," reads one leaflet.

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