CHINA: CONVICTED EX-TOP COP ASKS FOR LENIENCY

Wen Qiang, 54, former deputy police chief in Chongqing, China, appealed against his death sentence for protecting gangs, bribery, rape and property scamming during his second trial and asked for a lenient sentence. Wen was convicted of committing the crimes after his first trial in April. The second trial is expected to last two to three days in the Chongqing People's Higher Court.