Chongqing Top Triad Gangsters Executed

Authorities in Chongqing say 3,193 people have been detained since the crackdown on organized crime was initiated last June.

Two top gangsters in southwestern China's Chongqing were executed on January 19, announced the website of the local court later that day.

The local court stated that since 2005, the triad gang organized by Yang Tianqing, had committed blackmail, loansharking, intentional injury and murder. The cases of Yang and his main henchman, Liu Chenghu, came to trial last October. For his lead position in Chongqing's underworld, Yang was also fined 500,000 yuan.

Another two of Yang's gangsters were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve. The rest of the defendants were given prison terms, according to the Chongqing No.1 Intermediate People's Court. Six of the convicted criminals appealed after the first trial but sentencing was upheld.

According to statistics issued by the local authorities on January 19, 3,193 people had been detained while more than 2.1 billion yuan in assets have been frozen or blocked as part of the crackdown on organized crime initiated last June.

Local authorities said all major and serious mob cases will be concluded before the Spring Festival starting February 14.

Full Article in Chinese: http://policy.caing.com/2010-01-19/100109551.html

(Translated by GC)