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Death sentence for Chinese mine tycoon Death sentence for Chinese mine tycoon
(3 months later)
A Chinese mining tycoon has been sentenced to death for leading a crime gang that killed rivals, a state news agency A Chinese mining tycoon has been sentenced to death for leading a crime gang that killed rivals, a state news agency reported, in a case that revealed ties between organised crime and politicians.
reported, in a case that revealed ties between organised crime and Liu Han is former chairman of energy conglomerate Sichuan Hanlong Group in the south-western province of Sichuan, which owns stakes in Australian and US mines. He disappeared in March 2013, temporarily disrupting deals to finance mine development in Nevada and Australia, before police announced he had been detained.
politicians. The death sentences for Liu Han and his brother Liu Wei were the first in trials of their 36-member gang by a court in the central province of Hubei, the Xinhua News Agency said.
Liu Han is former chairman of energy conglomerate Sichuan Hanlong Group The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has launched an anti-corruption crackdown that has ensnared senior politicians and influential businessmen.
in the south-western province of Sichuan, which owns stakes in Australian Many of the Sichuan cases are believed linked to Zhou Yongkang, a former member of the Communist party's standing committee, the country's ruling inner circle. He is now believed to be a target of the wide-ranging graft investigation.
and US mines. He disappeared in March 2013, temporarily disrupting The Liu brothers and their associates have been charged with 15 crimes including murder, assault, illegal detention, blackmail and operating casinos.
deals to finance mine development in Nevada and Australia, before police Prosecutors say their criminal activities, dating back to 1993, helped them amass 40 billion yuan (US$6.4bn) in assets with businesses in finance, energy, real estate and mining.
announced he had been detained. The gang is accused in the deaths of nine people, five of whom were shot, according to earlier reports. Police seized hand grenades, half a dozen submachine guns, 20 pistols and other firearms.
The death sentences for Liu Han and his brother Liu Wei were the first Liu Han ranked 148th in 2012 on Forbes magazine's list of the richest Chinese businesspeople, with a fortune estimated at $855m. He told The Wall Street Journal in 2010 that an investor once shot up his car after suffering losses in a deal.
in trials of their 36-member gang by a court in the central province of The group is accused of fostering ties with politicians in Sichuan that helped Liu Han win appointment as a delegate of the provincial advisory body for three terms, according to earlier Xinhua reports.
Hubei, the Xinhua News Agency said. Among the accused are three officials in city-level police and prosecutors' offices in Sichuan, Xinhua said. It said Liu Wei's testimony showed the officials received money and gifts as well as weekly parties with illicit drugs.
The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, has launched an anti-corruption crackdown
that has ensnared senior politicians and influential businessmen.
Many of the Sichuan cases are believed linked to Zhou Yongkang, a former
member of the Communist party's standing committee, the country's
ruling inner circle. He is now believed to be a target of the
wide-ranging graft investigation.
The Liu brothers and their associates have been charged with 15 crimes including murder, assault, illegal detention, blackmail and operating
casinos.
Prosecutors say their criminal activities, dating back to 1993, helped
them amass 40 billion yuan (US$6.4bn) in assets with businesses in
finance, energy, real estate and mining.
The gang is accused in the deaths of nine people, five of whom were
shot, according to earlier reports. Police seized hand grenades, half a dozen submachine guns, 20 pistols and other firearms.
Liu Han ranked 148th in 2012 on Forbes magazine's list of the richest
Chinese businesspeople, with a fortune estimated at $855m. He
told The Wall Street Journal in 2010 that an investor once shot up his
car after suffering losses in a deal.
The group is accused of fostering ties with politicians in Sichuan that
helped Liu Han win appointment as a delegate of the provincial advisory
body for three terms, according to earlier Xinhua reports.
Among the accused are three officials in city-level police and
prosecutors' offices in Sichuan, Xinhua said. It said Liu Wei's
testimony showed the officials received money and gifts as well as
weekly parties with illicit drugs.