Three leaders of a 31-member organized crime ring in east China were given death sentences on Wednesday after being convicted of 10 charges, including murder and organizing mafia-style organizations.

Li Wei, Wang Qianjin and Li Ya received the sentences after a preliminary trial at the Intermediate People's Court of Bozhou, in northwestern Anhui.

The court heard that defendant Li Wei had built up the crime ring in the past four years since 2002 when he was jailed for blackmail and racketeering. He was later paroled for medical treatment.

The organization, led by Li Wei, Li Ya, Luo Liang and Yang Qilin frequented entertainment venues, shops and dock areas in Bozhou, where they conspired to commit murder and extortion.

The 68,000-character verdict cited one case of murder on Sept. 9, 2004. An assailant had slashed Li Wei with a knife that evening, and he suspected a rival known as Yang Dazhong of being behind the attack, although he had no evidence.

Li Wei dispatched six of his henchmen, including Li Ya and Wang Qianjin, who donned masks and sneaked into a local hospital ward where Yang was staying. One of the six, Yue Chao, slashed one of Yang's thighs, while Wang Qianjin stabbed Yang in the face. Yang later died of respiratory failure.

Li Wei was arrested last September.

Li Wei, Wang Qianjin and Li Ya were all deprived of political rights for life, while Luo Liang and Yue Chao were sentenced to life imprisonment and deprived of their political rights. The remaining 26 members of the ring were jailed for terms ranging from three months to 20 years.

The three sentenced to death said they would appeal to the higher court.

Source: Xinhua