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China sect leader 'put to death' | China sect leader 'put to death' |
(40 minutes later) | |
China has executed the leader of a prominent Christian sect after he was convicted of murdering members of a rival group, reports said. | China has executed the leader of a prominent Christian sect after he was convicted of murdering members of a rival group, reports said. |
Underground church founder Xu Shuangfu was executed with two other leaders last week, though his family was only told on Tuesday, his lawyer said. | |
Xu and several followers were sentenced to death in July, accused of killing 20 people between 2002 and 2004. | Xu and several followers were sentenced to death in July, accused of killing 20 people between 2002 and 2004. |
His lawyer, Li Heping, said Xu had been tortured into confessing. | His lawyer, Li Heping, said Xu had been tortured into confessing. |
The lawyer said Li Maoxing and Wang Jun had also been put to death in the north-eastern province of Heilongjiang. | |
Unconfirmed reports suggest there have been between nine and 12 other executions in connection with the same case. | |
The convictions relate to the murders of members of the Eastern Lightning cult. | |
The sect leader's lawyer said the charges against the three were "all sheer nonsense". | |
"The court does not have any evidence to support them," Mr Li said. | |
"During interrogation, they were tortured into confession." | |
Court officials were not immediately available for comment. | |
China allows people to worship in official churches, but many millions of others follow unofficial organisations. These underground spiritual movements often complain they are subject to sometimes violent persecution. |
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