简体中文
The trials of 36 members of an alleged mafia-style gang, led by former mining tycoon Liu Han, continued on Monday in central China's Hubei Province.
Liu Han, his brother Liu Wei and 34 other defendants are accused of crimes including organizing and leading a gang, intentional homicide and assault, illegal detention, blackmailing, illegally possession of guns and ammunition and defrauding banks of loans, prosecutors said.
They are being simultaneously prosecuted in seven cases, which are connected. The trails began on March 31.
On Monday, the trail of Liu Han focused on the murder of a woman surnamed Zhu, who allegedly died from illegal confinement by Liu.
Prosecutors produced confessions by Liu Wei and other defendants, testimony of witnesses and other evidence to prove Liu Han's crimes. Two witnesses, also defendants in another case, appeared in court for questioning related to the murder of Zhu.
Liu Han made a statement before being questioned.
He also made a supplementary statement on the murder of Wang Yongcheng, another gang boss in his hometown, after prosecutors on Sunday provided evidence that Liu Han had helped murderers to flee, and had sheltered, awarded and paid salaries to them.
On Monday, Liu Wei requested the court to exclude illegal evidence. The court found that there had been no illegal practice concerning prosecutors in obtaining evidence, such as forcing the defendants to confess through torture.
The court announced that the trial of Liu Wei would enter a debate phase from Tuesday
The court also investigated the illegal possession of guns and ammunition by defendants Liu Han and Xiao Yonghong. Prosecutors showed evidence including pictures of the guns and ammunition, and cross-examination was made.
