Fang Yong, 35, who hid in Canada for nine years, was...

Fang Yong, 35, who hid in Canada for nine years, was given the death penalty by the Ningbo People's Intermediate Court for embezzling about 1.66 million yuan (HK$1.56 million) between May and August 1990. Fang was an accountant at the Bank of Communications' Ningbo branch. Earlier reports said he stole the money by changing computer records and documents. He reportedly squandered much of his ill-gotten gains before he fled to Canada. It was not clear if Canada had sought any assurance before the extradition in November that Fang would not be given the death penalty for his crimes. (see Canada)