A Chinese student is at risk of being expelled from university for having casual sex with a Ukrainian gamer.
The student, identified by the surname Li, has been accused of “damaging national dignity,” leading to online claims of harsh punishment and violation of rights.
An official from Dalian Polytechnic University in Liaoning province, northeastern China, announced on July 8 that the university intends to expel Li for an act of “misconduct” on December 16, 2024.
The 21-year-old was reported to have had a one-night stand with 37-year-old former Counter-Strike player Danylo Teslenko, known as “Zeus,” while attending an event in Shanghai last December.
Teslenko shared personal videos and photos of himself and Li in his fan group, allegedly labeling her an “easy girl.”
The footage was leaked by his Chinese fans, and Li's personal details, such as her real name, family background, and social media profiles, were exposed.
Some men reportedly harassed the university to take action against Li.
However, many people expressed that the university's response was the most shocking aspect.
Not only did the university reveal Li's full name, but it also referenced disciplinary rules, claiming that Li's actions involved “improper socializing with foreigners” and damaged national dignity and the school's reputation.
Many protested the school for its harsh punishment and invasion of Li’s privacy.
“Her personal life is not the school’s concern,” one online commenter stated.
Reports indicated that Teslenko was married with a child, while Li had a boyfriend during their affair.
However, Teslenko claimed he was neither married nor in a relationship when he was intimate with Li.
He also regretted sharing the videos and denied ever labeling Chinese girls as “easy.”
A UK gaming news site reported that Teslenko’s words in Russian while hugging Li in the video might have been misinterpreted as suggesting he viewed Chinese girls as “easy.”
The school’s announcement mentioned that Li could appeal the decision by September 7, to which Li has yet to respond.
Jin Lin, a lawyer from Beijing’s Xidong Law Firm, told the mainland media outlet Fengmian News that the school’s choice lacks a legal basis.
According to the Provisions on the Administration of Students in Regular Institutions of Higher Education, students can only be expelled under eight specific circumstances, none of which apply to Li’s case.
Several lawyers advised Li to pursue legal action against the school.
The incident also sparked allegations of bias against female students.
In similar or even more severe cases involving male students, full names were seldom disclosed, and some offenders faced only light penalties.
An online observer commented, “We still don’t know Uncle Red’s full name, yet the school is quick to release a female student’s name for simply living her life.”
Uncle Red is a 38-year-old cross-dresser from Jiangsu province in eastern China who gained global attention for deceiving hundreds of men into having sex with him while filming them.
“She is the primary victim here. The Ukrainian man shared her face without her permission. The men hunted her down. Her school further victimized her by expelling her and publicly disclosing her name. They all owe her an apology,” stated another person.
The university had not addressed the public remarks by the time this was written.
