Six leading members of a gang of robbers were handed...

Six leading members of a gang of robbers were handed death death sentences in Shenzhen, China. The city government had recently pledged to strengthen its fight against rampant crime. The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court handed down six death sentences, four suspended death sentences and three life sentences, Xinhua reported. The gang of 29 criminals had been convicted of repeated robberies and kidnappings, in 2002 and early 2003. The gang leaders facing execution were identified as Liang Fuji, Wu Weilin, Liang Ben, Zeng Guanglin, Gong Yuzhen and He Zurong. The court said Liang was convicted of 13 robberies involving 1.38 million yuan and other stolen goods. It said He was linked to six robberies involving over 170,000 yuan. Those sentenced to death with a two-year suspension were Ding Weiyong, who was convicted of nine cases involving more than 190,000 yuan, Zhang Chao, Liao Jiawen and Ma Zheng. Another 10 criminals were sentenced to five years in prison or longer terms, the report said, without mentioning the punishment the other six received. It did not give details of the robbery cases.