Ex-convict arrested for "welcome home" farce

A Chinese man who was fresh out of prison has been arrested again after a noisy, Mafia-style ceremony that was held to celebrate his regained freedom.

Cheng Youze, from Jincheng City in north China's Shanxi Province, was arrested for disturbing the peace, the local procuratorate said.

A video clip that went viral in late May showed Cheng, wearing a white silk suit and sunglasses, swaggering through two rows of people who were in black T-shirts after he left prison. Firecrackers were set off, adding to the air of festivity.

The clip fanned ridicule and indignation from the public and prompted a police investigation.

The police said before Cheng was discharged, he told his family and friends to hold an impressive ritual on the day of his release. His former driver found a wedding planner to help with the ceremony.

On the morning of May 23, Cheng's friends and acquaintances arrived at the prison in 47 cars, and carried out the ceremony.

The event drew a lot of onlookers. Cheng refused to disperse the crowd and the road outside the prison was blocked.

Cheng has served prison time on three occasions. Local newspaper Beijing Times said he was sentenced to six years for robbery in 1984, 15 years for hooliganism, robbery and gambling in 1996 and eight years for illegal detention, illegal trade of explosives and intentional injury in 2009. He only served partial sentences.

The local government is investigating possible misconduct concerning Cheng's cases. Endi