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| Coronavirus: South Korea sect leader to face homicide probe over deaths | |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| The leader of a religious sect in South Korea could face a homicide investigation over some of the country's coronavirus deaths. | The leader of a religious sect in South Korea could face a homicide investigation over some of the country's coronavirus deaths. |
| The city government of the capital Seoul has asked prosecutors to charge Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church, and 11 others. | The city government of the capital Seoul has asked prosecutors to charge Lee Man-hee, the founder of the Shincheonji Church, and 11 others. |
| They are accused of hiding the names of some members as officials tried to track patients before the virus spread. | They are accused of hiding the names of some members as officials tried to track patients before the virus spread. |
| South Korea is battling the worst coronavirus outbreak outside China. | South Korea is battling the worst coronavirus outbreak outside China. |
| The country has reported 3,730 cases and 21 deaths so far. More than half of all infections involve members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a fringe Christian group. | The country has reported 3,730 cases and 21 deaths so far. More than half of all infections involve members of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a fringe Christian group. |
| Authorities say Shincheonji members infected one another in the southern city of Daegu last month, before fanning out around the country. | Authorities say Shincheonji members infected one another in the southern city of Daegu last month, before fanning out around the country. |
| What's happening in South Korea? | What's happening in South Korea? |
| On Sunday the Seoul City government filed a legal complaint to prosecutors against 12 leaders of the sect. They are accused of homicide, causing harm and violating the Infectious Disease and Control Act. | On Sunday the Seoul City government filed a legal complaint to prosecutors against 12 leaders of the sect. They are accused of homicide, causing harm and violating the Infectious Disease and Control Act. |
| The BBC's Laura Bicker in Seoul says the complaint reflects growing public anger towards the religious group. Its leader Lee Man-hee claims he is the Messiah. | The BBC's Laura Bicker in Seoul says the complaint reflects growing public anger towards the religious group. Its leader Lee Man-hee claims he is the Messiah. |
| All 230,000 members of the church have been interviewed and nearly 9,000 said they were showing symptoms of coronavirus. | All 230,000 members of the church have been interviewed and nearly 9,000 said they were showing symptoms of coronavirus. |
| A 61-year-old female member of the sect who tested positive for the virus was among the first to be infected. | A 61-year-old female member of the sect who tested positive for the virus was among the first to be infected. |
| She initially refused to be taken to a hospital to be tested and is known to have attended several church gatherings before testing positive. | She initially refused to be taken to a hospital to be tested and is known to have attended several church gatherings before testing positive. |
| The sect's leader Mr Lee has also been tested for the virus and is awaiting the results. | The sect's leader Mr Lee has also been tested for the virus and is awaiting the results. |
| Roman Catholic churches remain closed, major Protestant groups have cancelled Sunday services and all Buddhist events have been called off in the country. | Roman Catholic churches remain closed, major Protestant groups have cancelled Sunday services and all Buddhist events have been called off in the country. |
| What about the rest of the world? | What about the rest of the world? |
| More than 85,403 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in over 50 countries, according to the World Health Organization. | More than 85,403 cases of the new coronavirus have been confirmed in over 50 countries, according to the World Health Organization. |
| The global death toll is more than 2,900. The vast majority of infections and deaths are in China. | The global death toll is more than 2,900. The vast majority of infections and deaths are in China. |
| On Sunday, Australia and Thailand also recorded their first fatalities from coronavirus. | On Sunday, Australia and Thailand also recorded their first fatalities from coronavirus. |
| A 78-year-old Australian man died after being infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan last month. | A 78-year-old Australian man died after being infected on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan last month. |
| Thailand, which has had 42 cases of the virus, said a 35-year-old man who died was also suffering from dengue fever. | Thailand, which has had 42 cases of the virus, said a 35-year-old man who died was also suffering from dengue fever. |
| In Paris, the Louvre museum did not open on Sunday. The museum said on Twitter a meeting was being held on the public health situation and "the museum cannot open at the moment". | In Paris, the Louvre museum did not open on Sunday. The museum said on Twitter a meeting was being held on the public health situation and "the museum cannot open at the moment". |
| France has banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people, as part of efforts to contain the country's coronavirus outbreak. | France has banned all indoor gatherings of more than 5,000 people, as part of efforts to contain the country's coronavirus outbreak. |
| Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Or do you have any information to share? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you been affected by the coronavirus? Or do you have any information to share? Get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |